Cruise Ship Drug Overdose
Dianne Brimble - Drug Overdose - Death
P & O Cruise Lines - September 23, 2002
She said, she saw Mr Losic and his travelling companions Mark Wilhelm and Leo Silvestri in an elevator after Mrs Brimble's death. "He [Losic] came in and said that someone had stopped him in the corridor and asked him 'What did you do to her?' " Ms Muscat said. "He said 'I think they think we killed her.' " Ms Muscat said she told Mr Losic that was what everyone was saying and "he just laughed me off".
Forensic Scientist Doctor William Allender Testifies
Forensic scientist Doctor William Allender today told the court that he estimates the Brisbane woman consumed between seven and 18 grams of the drug, while a recreational user would usually take around two and a half grams.
He estimates Mrs Brimble consumed some of the drug while she was still in the disco earlier that night, and believes she died up to three and a half hours before medical assistance was called.
Earlier testimony said the medical team were called and arrived around 8am. This would put the time of death around 4:30am to 5:00am. This is the time frame witnesses said the cabin was full of naked bodies. One witness has said it was 5:00am when Wilhelm showed her a picture of Brimble on the floor naked.
The time frame is important, because it means that if she was involved in a sexual act around 3am to 5am, it was definately without her consent, as she would have been suffering from the overdose at that time.
Dr Allender described the effect of GHB and alcohol on Mrs Brimble's body as similar to a heroin overdose. He has told the court that he believes her chances of surviving without medical assistance were virtually nil.
The inquest will resume on November 30, 2006. A South Australian man, to be known as Mr White, will give evidence amid tight security at the Glebe Coroners Court in Sydney and is also expected to make claims of police corruption.
Ivan Jerman Testifies
Jerman was the staff captain onboard when Dianne was found dead in a cabin belonging to four men. He says he never gave permission for the men to remove personal items from the cabin, and that Melvyn Armitage is wrong to say Jerman told him it was alright.
Although his voice was distorted to protect his identity, the testimony of the most anticipated witness, his identity protected, who is basically named a John Doe, Mr, "White" in the case resonated as he alleged four of the eight "men of interest" were involved in large-scale drug distribution in Adelaide nightclubs.
Mr "White" told Glebe Coroners Court that person of interest Matthew Slade was a drug dealer who had connections to outlaw motorcycle gangs.
He alleged Mr Slade, Dragan Losic, Petar Pantic and Mark Wilhelm manufactured ecstasy. "They frequent the clubs in Adelaide, the dance clubs, and they distribute drugs. I have myself purchased drugs from them," he said.
He said he had seen another person of interest, Ryan Kuchel, affected by ecstasy in clubs.
Mr White said Mr Losic used to give out ecstasy at the Soda Room night club.
"I think the Soda Room was owned and operated by police. The manager told me that the club was owned by five police who were there that night and were absolutely off their faces," he said.
He said his knowledge of the alleged drug dealing activity of the men stemmed from time he spent working and socialising in clubs.
He was not specific about the dates of the alleged activity but said it spanned a period from 2001 to last year. He told the court the men spent four nights a week at Adelaide clubs, frequenting Heaven, Soda Room, St Pauls and Rise.
He said Rise was owned by Rob Vitale, the brother of person of interest Luigi Vitale, and the Rebels motorcycle gang.
December 20, 2006 - Trickle Down Justice
A NIGHTCLUB owned by the brother of one of the persons of interest in the Dianne Brimble sexual assault case, has closed following a crackdown in the hospitality industry.
Rise Nightclub, owned by Rob Vitale, last week handed in its trading licence after police lodged action in the Liquor Licensing Court, citing its operators as "not fit and proper persons".
The nightclub voluntarily offered its licence in pre-trial negotiations, ensuring it did not go to trial.
Police made submissions to Judge Paul Rice last Monday, with the court's findings to be delivered today.
Chief Inspector Ashley Lange, officer in charge of the Licensing Enforcement Branch, said the action was lodged against the nightclub director, several responsible persons and others who were covertly involved in running the venue.
Rob Vitale is the brother of Luigi Vitale – one of the eight men of interest in the Brimble date rape, sexual assault and onboard death case.
February 5, 2007 - Constable Erdinc Ozen Testifies
Detective Senior Constable Erdinc Ozen is set to arrive at the inquest to give his testimony. He has previously been excused from giving evidence on medical grounds.
Erdinc Ozen was sent on board the Pacific Sky cruise ship to investigate the Brisbane woman's death in 2002. His testimony is expected to reveal new facts.
Detective Senior Constable Erdinc Ozen told the inquest he'd been drinking and socialising with witnesses in the hope they would open up and reveal details about the mothers death.
He said superiors made the decision to send him and the water police to investigate, instead of the homicide team. He also testified that he called P & O and told them to secure the cabin.
He said he was "absolutely" surprised that passenger services director Melvyn Armitage allowed Mr Wilhelm and his cabin-mates to remove their belongings and move to another cabin after Ms Brimble's death.
He said he had been told of the criminal records and drug use of the four men before he boarded the ship in Noumea.
Constable Ozen told the court that at the time he boarded the ship he didn't know what fantasy was. He said two witnesses, Lisa and Kelly Davis, made their own inquiries and told him about it.
"They informed me it was a date-rape drug widely used in Adelaide. That was the first time I got an insight into (GHB)."
Constable Ozen told the court he had previously travelled on the Pacific Sky in 2001 when he received a free cruise from P&O in return for providing a police presence on a schoolies' cruise
