scone.com.auBackground to Missing Leonie
By Michael Flaherty
Michael Flaherty
When I was a Federal Police agent working as a liaison officer with Centrelink I was asked to speak to Kate Hutchinson in 2007 about various Centrelink matters.
Before visiting her home at Kars Springs, I conducted some basic background information checks and it was then that I realised the full extent of this story.
When speaking with Kate Hutchinson outside her home she told me “Leonie is safe and happy where she is”.
It was a line she had maintained with many people previously.
When I probed further hoping she may elaborate, she remained steadfast in her response.
For a short time she disappeared inside her house to get some paperwork and we couldn’t help but feel on edge.
After we left her home we discussed the disturbing lack of emotion when she was talking about her missing daughter and how uneasy we both felt with her overall demeanour.
BACKGROUND ON THE CASE
Missing Toddler Leonie Hutchinson- Picture supplied by NSW Police Media
Toddler Leonie Astra Hutchinson was last seen by Scone locals in December 2001.
In 2003 the Department of Community and Family Services began to hold concerns for Leonie’s welfare when her mother Kate Hutchinson evaded questions regarding her whereabouts.
In January 2004, New South Wales police listed Leonie as missing and set up strike force Kanuna, led by Detective Inspector Tim Seymour.
Despite extensive enquiries no trace of Leonie Hutchinson was found.
Police reported that Kate Hutchinson was suffering mental health issues at the time and was unable to assist police to locate Leonie.
Police examined the possibility that Leonie was in the care of others after speaking to Kate Hutchinson, however they were still unable to find the child, with Kate Hutchinson insisting Leonie was safe.
In December 2013 a coroner directed police to search a property in Stafford Street, Scone, but it failed to locate Leonie or result in an arrest at the time.
Previously in July 2001, when Leonie was only one year old the department of community and family services was alerted to the child being at risk of harm.
Later that year, after several home visits, the case was closed with the department satisfied Leonie was safe.
Kate Hutchinson
Kate Hutchinson had three other children at the time of Leonie’s disappearance all of whom were in the custody of Kate’s estranged mother Helen Hutchinson.
A Coronial inquest into the matter has been ongoing and has heard from relatives, friends, associates and professionals all whom still had no information as to the whereabouts of Leonie Hutchinson.
One of Kate Hutchinson’s friends gave evidence at the inquest that a conversation occurred between her and Kate Hutchinson in which Kate said she would be the bearer of a chosen child for sacrifice.
The inquest heard of Kate Hutchinsons’ mental health issues, witchcraft, satanic involvment, drug use and of a handwritten note found at her Kars Springs home by police in 2004 which read “Have good memories my angel Leonie, I love you”.
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