WARNING: This story contains distressing elements, including references to suicide.
The family of Lasonya Dutton is calling for a coronial inquest and a more thorough police investigation into the Barkindji woman's death.
The body of the 31-year-old was found in a badly decomposed state in her Wilcannia home in March.
Ms Dutton's family said the mother of two was a fun, happy-go-lucky woman, but three months after her death they're still waiting for answers.
Ms Dutton's father Keith says he's appalled by the way his family has been treated by Wilcannia police.
"To be honest with you, I’m horrified. The police investigation has returned absolutely nothing," he said.
"My family know me, and half of Wilcannia do too. I’m a time bomb waiting to explode."
Lasonya and her son Keith in happier times. Source: Supplied
Police claims of suicide rejected
Ms Dutton's body was found in the backyard of her family home on March 29 this year.
Her uncle Mearle Dutton made the grim discovery.
The decomposed state of the body initially led Mr Dutton to believe it was a dead kangaroo.
The family is arguing against claims Ms Dutton's body had been in the yard for days, saying their home is “like a drop-in centre”.
Trevor “Footer” Jones, who raised Ms Dutton while her parents struggled with illness and incarceration, said he spends most of his time in the house, and could not have failed to notice a body in the backyard.
“If she was there for three or four days… I would’ve found her,” he said.
The family are also pushing back against suggestions that Ms Dutton committed suicide, after a cord was found nearby to her body and was examined by police.
Family who had seen Ms Dutton shortly before her death attest that her mood seemed positive.
Trevor Jones says he spends most of his days inside the house and would have seen Lasonya if her body had been in the backyard for more than a 24 hours.
'I want the police to do their job'
The family are determined that police conduct a more thorough inquiry, and that a coronial inquest be initiated to lay their questions to rest.
“If we’ve got to go for an inquiry then let’s do it," said Keith Dutton.
"Do you know how many people are walking around town saying they saw Lasonya on Friday night and they saw what she was doing and who she was with?
"That’s what convictions come from. Yarns."
Mr Dutton, in the throes of grief himself, is now also juggling the responsibility of looking after his grandson, Ms Dutton's child.
“I want the police to do their job and for this person to be brought to justice," he said.
"Because she got a boy and a girl and they will want to know what happened to their mother. And if I’ve got to explain it to them, I will explain it to them.
Keith Dutton is now the primary carer of Lasonya's son, baby Keith.
"But I want to give them the right story.
“I just want what every father would want… for their child: just the truth, that’s all.
"That’s not much."
In a statement New South Wales Police said the matter remains "under investigation".
"... a report is being prepared for the information of the Coroner. It is then for the Coroner to determine how the woman died.
"Since the beginning of the investigation, there has been significant engagement between local police, including Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers, the woman’s family and those affected in the community, including updates on the investigation, ongoing support and welfare checks."
