Coronial inquest into Gayle Woodford murder urges better protection for outback nurses

A South Australian coroner has made 12 recommendations in the wake of the murder of an outback nurse, including looking at establishing a permanent police presence in the community where Gayle Woodford was murdered.

Ms Woodford was raped and murdered by Dudley Davey in March 2016, in the remote community of Fregon in South Australia’s APY Lands where she lived and worked.

The 56-year-old nurse, who was employed by the Ngampa Health Council (NHC), was on call alone on the night she was abducted, raped and killed after responding to Davey who was seeking medical assistance.

He was on parole for a previous offence of indecently assaulting a 17-year-old girl at the time.

More to come.