Family of late Dutch model Ivana slams Coroner's Court over delay

The family of deceased Dutch model Ivana Smit has expressed its deep disappointment with the KL Coroner's Court, claiming an undue delay on the part of the coroner in forwarding the transcribed notes of proceedings and other records to the High Court.

"The coroner gave her verdict on March 8 after a long inquest. Being unsatisfied with the verdict, the family of Ivana then filed a revision application to the High Court on March 11.

"It is learnt that till date, the High Court is unable to fix a hearing date due to the undue delay on the part of the coroner in forwarding the transcribed notes of proceedings and other records to the High Court," said S N Nair & Partners, solicitors acting for the Smit family, said in a statement yesterday.

Smit, who was believed to be under the influence of alcohol, was found dead on the sixth-floor condo of CapSquare Residence in Kuala Lumpur, 14 floors after falling from the 20th-floor condo of Alex Johnson and Luna Almaz on Dec 7, 2017.

In March the Coroner's Court ruled that the death of Smit was caused by a “misadventure’.

Coroner Mahyon Talib, who heard the inquest to determine the actual cause of Smit’s death, said the court found no one to be criminally involved in the death of the 19-year-old model.

S N Nair & Partners said that despite several case management and reminders sent to the coroner by them as solicitors, the Coroner's Court had yet to deliver the same to the High Court.

"This is precisely the reason why the High Court is unable to hear this Revision application to date."

"Justice delayed is justice denied," said the law firm.

"It seems most unjustified that the parents and loved ones have to undergo much more mental pain and anguish because there is still no closure since Ivana's death.

"More so, having to endure such grief and sorrow due to the undue delay emanating from the lower court," it added. - Mkini