During the coronial inquest into the tragic deaths of two police officers at a rural property in Wieambilla, Queensland, it was revealed that one of the slain officers, Constable Rachel McCrow, bravely recorded a final message of love to her family as she faced imminent death. The inquest heard that Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow were brutally murdered on December 12, 2022, while attending to what was supposed to be a routine investigation related to a missing persons report.
The officers, alongside their colleagues Constables Randall Kirk and Keely Brough, had been following up on a report for Nathaniel Train, believed to be at his brother Gareth and wife Stacey’s property. However, upon entering the property after jumping a locked gate, the officers were ambushed. Constable Arnold was fatally shot within minutes, and Constable McCrow was executed at close range soon after.
On the final day of the inquest, the grief-stricken families of the two officers shared their ongoing heartache. In a poignant statement, Dr. Judy McCrow, Rachel’s mother, reflected on the immense loss her family has endured. She noted that August 30, which would have been Rachel’s 31st birthday, is now marked by “impossible grief” for the loss of her “beautiful ‘Rach'” and the future they had envisioned together.
Dr. McCrow emphasized the need for “open disclosure and full transparency” regarding the horrific events that claimed her daughter’s life. She lamented the “despicable, disgusting, and hate-filled acts” that cut short Rachel’s promising career and life. She also revealed that her family had concerns about Rachel’s assignment to Tara, a community known for a significant number of firearms. Despite Rachel’s reservations about the transfer, she dutifully served, a decision that now haunts her family as they grapple with the devastating “what if” moments.