The Death of Joan Volmer, Leanne Rickenbach and Matthew Nuske

Ralph Volmer, Leanne Rickenbach, David Klingner and Matthew Nuske were all charged with manslaughter. All four received bail and were ordered to face a three-day committal hearing in September. On Thursday, September 16, magistrate Tim McDonald conceded that although the four defendants had in all likelihood contributed to Joan's death, his decision was to drop all of the charges. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists called for a review of the case. Mental health workers expressed concern that vulnerable people may be targeted for recruitment by unconventional churches.