Police Fired Over Britt Lapthorne's case

The police commissioner in Dubrovnik, Croatia has been fired over his handling of Britt Lapthorne's murder case.
Britt's father Dale Lapthorne, was very critical of the Croatian police and Australian Federal Police's involvement in the investigation, but now said that the dicision to sack the police chief is a sign of progress.
The Croatian newspaper, Slobodna Dalmacija, said that Ivan Kresic was sacked, because of the way the investigation was handled and the Croatian police was slammed by international media.
Britt Lapthorne was found dead Octber 8.

So far this year, two young Aussies have been murdered overseas.
Doujon Zammit was murdered in Greece and now Britt Lapthorne in Croatia.

Memorial for Britt Lapthorne

(AAP Image: Joe Castro)
More than 400 people, attended a candlelit memorial for 21-year-old Britt Lapthorne in Melbourne's Flagstaff Gardens.
A public memorial service will be held at Whittlesea City office, on Wednesday.

Dale Lapthorne to return with Britt's body

Dale Lapthorne is to return home to Melbourne with Britt's body.

The autopsy report did not shed any light as to how Britt died.

DNA tests had confirmed the badly decomposed body was Britt Lapthorne.

Britt's body has been released to her family and they are trying to finalise transport arrangements for the journey home.

The Victorian coroner's office has agreed to conduct more tests when Dale Lapthorne and his son Darren bring the body back to Melbourne.

They will be reunited with Britt's mother Elke.

Britt Lapthorne Found Dead

Britt Lapthorne has been found dead.

Her parents, Dale and Elke Lapthorne have been told that the body in the Adriatic sea is that of their duaghter's.


The Croatian police have not answered if Britt's death was murder or accidental.

Britt Lapthorne was last seen alive in the early hours of September 18, at the Fuego latin club in Dubrovnik.

Australia's Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, has spoken to Mrs. Elke Lapthorne on the phone in Melbourne and expressed the Government's condolences at the news of her death.

He assured her, the government wiil do all it can to assist the family and that the Australian Consular officers will remain in Dubrovnik for as long as the family want to remain there.

The full autopsy report will be issued on Monday.

You can watch Britt's mother, Elke Lapthorne, on National Nine News.

R.I.P. Britt.

Disappearance of Britt Lapthorne from Croatia

Britt Lapthorne, is 21 years old and disappeared from Dubrovnik in Croatia.

Ms. Lapthorne is an RMIT student.

She was last seen on Sept. 18, at the Club Fuego in Dubrovnik.

Britt's father Mr. Dale Lapthorne, of Eden Park, in North Melbourne, said the family believes 98%, that their daughter will not be found alive.


Britt's brother Darren, who lives in Germany has flown to Dubrovnik to coordinate the investigation.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) is in constant touch with the authorities in Croatia and they are currently examining material from CCTV cameras.

Britt's camera, a Canon PowerShot G9 with serial number 6571300350, has not been found yet.

Her passport and other personal belongings have been found at her hotel room.

You can get more info for Missing Britt Lapthorne on Facebook and here is her personal page on Facebook.

Please download Britt's flyer and pass it on to others.

Anyone who has any information about Britt, please email:CENTRE.CONOPS@DFAT.GOV.AU or call +61 2 6261 1111.

You can reach Britt's mum, Elke Lapthorne at +61 3 9715 1155.

You can also contact the Australian Federal Police.

If you would like to read the Greek language translation please click here.

Thanks for your help everybody.