Ex-AFL Player Shannon Cox Pleads Guilty to WA Crash That Killed Two Elderly Women
Former AFL player Shannon Cox has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after a car crash in WA’s Wheatbelt that claimed the lives of two elderly women.
Shannon Cox, 39, appeared in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court via video link from Greenough Regional Prison on Wednesday, where he admitted to two counts of unlawfully killing another under circumstances that do not constitute murder.
The crash occurred on June 9 last year when Cox, driving a Toyota Prado, collided with a Suzuki Ignis hatchback on the Brand Highway in Cooljarloo, approximately 170km north of Perth. The impact killed two women, Thelma Clausen, 82, and Coral Seinor, 83, who were prominent figures in the Jurien Bay community and founders of the local Country Women’s Association branch.
Cox’s 12-year-old daughter, who was also in his vehicle at the time, sustained injuries in the crash. Emergency services, including five St John ambulances and two RAC Rescue helicopters, were deployed, but the helicopters were stood down.
In court, Shannon Cox only spoke to enter his guilty plea. His lawyer, Paul Holmes, confirmed the plea was made following legal advice and requested a psychological report be prepared ahead of sentencing.
The Supreme Court is set to sentence Cox on August 26.
