Arabic version: رجل من بيرث يسعى للحصول على تعويض عن الأضرار الجنائية لشقته

Troy Coward is pursuing compensation after his East Perth apartment was severely damaged during a police forensic investigation related to a murder case. According to ABC News, Coward’s apartment became the scene of a brutal murder in December 2012, when tenant Aaron Carlino shot drug dealer Stephen Cookson twice in the head and dismembered his body within the dwelling.

After the murder was uncovered, the police conducted a three-month forensic investigation that left the apartment in disarray. Coward described the aftermath, stating that the unit was covered in luminol, which highlights bloodstains, and suffered extensive damage. “They ripped out all the blinds. There were holes in the doors. The mirrors were broken. The carpet was completely soiled in black carcinogenic chemicals and black ink,” he explained.

Following the investigation, Coward and his housemate experienced various health issues, including rashes and respiratory problems, which he believes were caused by the chemicals used during the forensic examination. A forensic cleaner later warned him that the apartment was unsafe for habitation, as there had been no official clearance regarding its livability.

Coward’s financial situation deteriorated after he fell behind on mortgage payments, leading to the foreclosure of his property, which sold for $200,000—significantly less than its pre-murder valuation of $549,000. Now, more than 13 years later, he is demanding compensation from WA Police for the losses and health complications he has incurred.

A spokesperson for WA Premier Roger Cook stated that the government cannot comment on ongoing legal proceedings, while WA Police also refrained from commenting due to legal restrictions.