Port MacDonnell, South Australia: Helena Wright’s death generates speculation, police want it stopped

South Australia Police has urged the public to stop spreading “rubbish” online about the suspected murder-suicide of a woman and her two children as they wind up the search for a missing infant.

The bodies of Helena Wright, 36, and her two-year-old daughter Hazel were recovered from the ocean near Port MacDonnell on July 27.

Her three-month-old son Lewis, who was last seen with Ms Wright that morning, has not been found.

While the search for the missing infant officially ended on July 29, police are continuing to monitor and inspect the shoreline

However, Superintendent Trent Cox said it was “unlikely” the boy would ever be found.

“There were a group of seven water operations members that came down last Thursday,” he told ABC South East SA radio on Tuesday.

“They conducted three dives before weather stopped that effort. Unfortunately, they were not able to find Lewis.”

He said while a formal search had stopped, officers would investigate “something that may have washed up”.

“But for now there’s no formal search effort under way,” he said.

Days after the deaths, South Australia Police confirmed Ms Wright had attended the Mount Gambier police station on Sunday, with officers conducting a welfare check the following morning after a call from a concerned friend.

Speaking to the ABC, Superintendent Cox said online speculation was making the circumstances more difficult for the family, loved ones and the Mount Gambier community.

He urged residents to be mindful before sharing any speculation about Ms Wright online.

“What I’d like to see happen is a lot of the community chatter that’s going on social media to stop,” he said.

Superintendent Cox said he understood the reason behind the speculation but warned it “helps nobody” involved in the case.

“Where there are gaps in information where the community’s not in possession of (that information), for that to be filled with the rubbish that we’re seeing out there helps nobody and it’s incredibly distressing, I’m sure, for Mr Wright and the extended family,” he said.

“We understand the community’s need for information, but we have a duty and a moral obligation and a legislative obligation to the coroner to ensure only factual information is provided.”

An online fundraiser, which has attracted almost $40,000, has since been created by Ms Wright’s friend Adam Hockley.

In the GoFundMe, he said the family had been inundated by support from the community and family overseas, who were “providing love, support, Lasagna, strong hugs, tears, immense pain, Joy and true mate ship”.

The funds raised would go towards a funeral and flights for Ms Wright’s family in Estonia to come to Australia.

“Just hold your family close, look to God for true peace and go visit a mate and give them a hug. If there’s someone in your life you haven’t forgiven, or you need to talk with, do it today because you don’t know how long you have,” the fundraiser read.

Lifeline: 13 11 14.

If you or someone you know needs help, phone SANE Australia Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).