Key Takeaways
- Baby Soul Turany, a 16‑week‑old infant, died from catastrophic head injuries on the morning of 30 August 2014 at his family’s rural home near Darfield.
- Police believe either his mother, Storme Turany, or her then‑partner, Tony Farmer, inflicted the fatal injuries; the child could not have harmed himself.
- Shortly after Soul’s death, Storme sent a distraught text to Farmer (“I still don’t understand why I haven’t heard from you. Soul has passed away”), and the pair continued exchanging messages over the following days.
- During the coronial inquest, Storme struggled to recall details of the morning of the injury, denied ever harming her son, and said she did not want to believe Farmer could be responsible.
- Witness testimony from Storme’s sister, Skye Lamborn, alleged that Storme had previously “chucked” Soul down on a bed in frustration, a claim Storme alternately denied and could not recall.
- Lawyers for both the police and Farmer pressed Storme on whether the injuries resulted from an accident, frustration, or intentional harm; she maintained it was not an accident and denied any intent to hurt her son.
- Storme ended her relationship with Farmer around 12 September 2014, shortly after being formally interviewed by police under caution.
- Farmer is scheduled to testify later in the inquest, while the coroner continues to examine whether the injuries were inflicted by one of the two adults present.
Background of the Tragedy
Soul Mathew Turany was only sixteen weeks old when he sustained severe head trauma that ultimately led to his death. The incident occurred in the early hours of 30 August 2014 at the family’s rural residence near Darfield, Christchurch. Medical experts who testified at the coronial inquest emphasized that the nature of the injuries was inconsistent with any accidental self‑inflicted harm; the force required would have rendered the infant unconscious almost immediately, indicating that whoever caused the trauma knew exactly what they were doing.
Immediate Aftermath and Communication
Within hours of Soul’s passing, his mother, Storme Turany, sent a text message to her then‑partner, Tony Farmer, expressing confusion and grief: “I still don’t understand why I haven’t heard from you. Soul has passed away.” Farmer’s reply was equally distressed, offering his support and asking what he could do. Over the next several days, the two continued to exchange messages, with Storme inviting Farmer to attend the baby’s funeral. This communication pattern later became a focal point for investigators trying to discern each party’s state of mind and potential culpability.
Police Suspicions and Legal Position
Police investigators concluded that either Storme Turany or Tony Farmer must have been responsible for the injuries that killed Soul. They based this conclusion on medical evidence showing that the injuries could not have been self‑inflicted and that the perpetrator would have been aware of the severity of the act. Consequently, both individuals were treated as suspects, and the investigation focused on determining which of them, if any, had caused the fatal trauma.
Storme’s Testimony at the Inquest
When called to testify, Storme described herself as an over‑protective mother and stated that she could not explain why she had reached out to Farmer if she were innocent, given that such contact might imply his guilt. She admitted feeling “sick” when confronted with this question and confessed that, before her second police interview, she did not want to believe Farmer could have harmed her son. She told the court that she had hoped the detectives might be mistaken and that the tragedy could have been a mistake.
Denial of Intent to Harm
Throughout her testimony, Storme repeatedly denied having any intention to hurt Soul. When asked directly if she had injured her son, she responded, “I did not hurt my son.” She further argued that, if responsibility lay with one of two people, then pointing a finger at Farmer would be justified. Her statements consistently maintained her innocence and rejected any notion that she had deliberately caused the infant’s injuries.
Allegations of Prior Rough Handling
Storme’s sister, Skye Lamborn, testified to an incident in which Storme had “chucked” Soul down onto a bed and then called her in tears. Skye suggested this behavior indicated a pattern of frustration‑driven roughness. When confronted with this allegation, Storme initially claimed it was mischaracterized, later stating she could not recall the event. The prosecution used this testimony to argue that Storme might have a history of reacting harshly to the baby’s crying.
Police Cross‑Examination on Frustration
During cross‑examination, police lawyer Kerry White pressed Storme on whether frustration and exhaustion had led her to handle Soul roughly on the morning of his injury. White asked if she had “chucked Soul down hard on the bed” and whether the infant might have struck his head on a headboard. Storme repeatedly answered “No,” denying that any such action had occurred. She also rejected the suggestion that the injuries resulted from an accident, insisting that what happened was not accidental.
Alternative Explanations Considered
Lawyer Andrew McCormick, representing Tony Farmer, attempted to shift the focus by asking Storme whether the injuries could have been accidental. Storme firmly replied, “That is not what happened.” She maintained that the trauma was not the result of a mishap and reiterated her denial of any intent to cause harm. This exchange underscored the difficulty of reconciling the medical evidence with the conflicting narratives presented by the two adults present at the time.
Relationship Dissolution and Ongoing Proceedings
Storme ended her relationship with Tony Farmer around 12 September 2014, shortly after she was formally interviewed by police under caution. Farmer’s lawyer suggested that the breakup was motivated by a desire to shift guilt onto him. Despite the separation, the legal process continued, with Farmer slated to take the stand later in the inquest. The coroner remains tasked with determining whether the fatal injuries were inflicted by Storme, Farmer, or perhaps another party, and whether any criminal charges are warranted.
End of summary.