Updated 3.45pm with OPM reaction

The family of Nicolette Ghirxi has called for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her murder at the hands of her ex-partner.

Her former lawyer Joseph Borda and two members of the Ghirxi family told Times of Malta they wanted an inquiry “to establish the facts leading to her tragic death”.

In response, the office of the prime minister said the Independent Police Complaints Board will review the conduct of the police force.

Their calls come a week after the 48-year-old was found stabbed to death in her apartment in Swatar, Birkirkara. Her ex-partner Edward Johnston, who had been harassing her for months, was later shot dead by police after a three-hour stand off in St Julian's. 

Borda urged the prime minister and the home affairs minister to initiate an inquiry “similar to the one that was opened following the murder of Bernice Cassar in November 2022”.

Bernice Cassar was shot dead as she drove to work in 2022. Photo: Facebook

That particular inquiry was intended to determine whether the authorities were, or should have been, aware that Cassar’s life was in danger and if there were any failings in implementing domestic violence law.  

“May I publicly ask Hon. Byron Camilleri and Hon. Robert Abela that a similar inquiry is opened to establish the facts leading to Nicolette Ghirxi's murder,” said Borda.

He explained that the ongoing magisterial inquiry, which primarily focuses on preserving evidence and determining criminal responsibility, “is insufficient to serve Nicolette with justice because the perpetrator is dead”.

Speaking to Times of Malta, Borda said that this should not be a matter of controversy, asserting that “Nicolette’s family have a right to know what led to her murder, and if her death could have been avoided.”

"This is the only way we can identify the state’s failings and how it failed Nicolette,” he said.

In a statement to Times of Malta, the prime minister's spokesperson said neither his office nor the home affairs ministry had receved any official communication from the victim's lawyer.

"However Facebook posts related to the matter have been noted," he said.

He said the Independent Police Complaints Board, chaired by retired Judge Geoffrey Velenzia, is being tasked with assessing the implementation of the recommendations from the Cassar inquiry. 

"The board will also review the conduct of the Police Force concerning established standard operating procedures and relevant legisation," he added.

Timeline of reports

In April, Ghirxi filed two harassment reports against Johnston, after receiving emails from him following their break up.

However police said she decided against a risk assessment, telling police and social welfare officials of her decision in writing. 

The following month she filed another harassment report, but at the time police established that Johnston was abroad. By July she reported slanderous posts about her on social media, informing police she suspected Johnston. 

Last week her lawyer told Times of Malta that Ghirxi could still be alive if the police had done their duty, rather than allowing her murderer to toy with them.

Edward Johnston told police he was 'topping up his tan' in Dubai. Photo: Instagram

He publicly criticised the police for failing to adequately protect Ghirxi by not acting on her harassment reports.

He published emails showing how Johnston mocked the police when they summoned him for questioning last April, telling them he was abroad to “top up my tan" in Dubai and challenging them to “notify Interpol” if they wanted to speak to him.

In early 2023, the inquiry into Bernice Cassar’s femicide, led by Judge Geoffrey Valenzia, had established that the state had failed the victim, particularly because of a lack of resources and a heavy caseload.

Cassar had filed multiple police reports on domestic violence against her estranged husband Roderick before she was shot dead as she drove to work on 22 November 2022 in Corradino.