The family of a British toddler whose death in Australia more than two decades ago is being re-examined have accused police of failing them, as the Home Office pledged consular support. Speaking outside their home in a working-class neighbourhood in the North West, the child’s mother, her voice cracking, said: “They let us down from day one. We have fought for years for someone to listen. Now maybe the truth will come out.”
The case, which has gripped both nations, centres on the death of 18-month-old Jacob Miller during a family holiday in New South Wales in 2002. Initially ruled a tragic accident, the toddler’s parents have long insisted that inconsistencies in the official account – including the timeline of events and the condition of the child’s body – pointed to something far more sinister. Now, Australian authorities have launched a formal cold case inquiry, citing new witness testimony and advances in forensic technology.
At a press conference in Sydney on Wednesday, Detective Inspector Eleanor Croft of the New South Wales Police Force said: “We owe it to Jacob and his family to leave no stone unturned. This is a fresh investigation, not a rehash of old files.” The inquiry will re-examine the actions of the couple who were renting the holiday apartment next door to the Millers, who have since moved to New Zealand.
The family’s solicitor, Martha Okonjo, told reporters that the initial police response had been “woefully inadequate”, with key evidence overlooked and potential suspects not properly interviewed. “The Millers have been living with this nightmare for 22 years. They have had to battle not only their grief but also a system that seemed determined to close the book,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Home Office confirmed it was providing consular assistance to the family, with a spokesperson stating: “Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time. We are working closely with Australian authorities to ensure they receive the support they need.” The pledge comes after repeated calls from local MPs for greater government involvement in the case.
For the Millers, the inquiry is a bittersweet glimmer of hope. “We never gave up,” the toddler’s father, a former factory worker now on long-term sick leave, said quietly. “We couldn’t. Jacob deserves for the truth to come out, for the person responsible to be held accountable. We just hope it’s not too late.” The inquiry is expected to take several months, with a public hearing scheduled for early next year.
