This archive report was first published on 4 August 2019.
On June 17, 2013, a tragic event unfolded in the Arunga household, leaving a family shattered and a community in shock. Esther Arunga's husband, Quincy, was accused of brutally killing their 14-year-old son, Quincy Sinclair Arunga.
However, in a stunning turn of events, Esther Arunga confessed to lying to police about the circumstances surrounding her son's death. Initially, she told paramedics and police that her son had fallen down the stairs, a claim that would divert the spotlight away from her husband for 26 days.
It wasn't until Quincy was involuntarily admitted to a mental health facility that Esther changed her statement. She revealed that she had witnessed her husband attacking their son in the bathroom, leaving him with severe injuries.
Esther's account was corroborated by her own testimony, in which she described her husband's actions as 'brutal.' She claimed that Quincy had a strong arm and that even a grown man could not survive such a punch.
Esther's decision to lie to police was motivated by fear, she claimed. 'I was terrified of being alone and I felt terrible because my husband was sick as well,' she told the police.
Esther's confession has raised questions about the investigation and her husband's mental health. Defence barrister Katarina Prskalo argued that Esther's husband was mentally unwell and that she had sought help for him in 2013. However, Esther's own mental health issues have also been raised as a factor in her decision to lie.
