Nicolette Ghirxi  reportedly agreed to undergo a risk assessment for domestic violence but was allegedly discouraged by professionals, according to evidence obtained by Times of Malta.

On April 22, 2023, Ghirxi left the assessment after allegedly being told that messages from her ex-partner, Edward Johnston, contained insults rather than threats. She later sent a voice note to a friend, explaining that the risk assessor suggested the assessment would score “zero.”

Months later, on August 12, Ghirxi was found murdered in her Swatar apartment, and Johnston was shot dead by police hours later.

Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà stated that Ghirxi had declined the risk assessment in writing, saying she did not feel at risk.

However, a close friend and Ghirxi’s lawyer, Joseph Borda, disputed this, claiming she initially agreed to take the assessment but was talked out of it, Times of Malta reported.

The Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) denied these claims, stating that their assessors never discouraged Ghirxi from proceeding and provided written statements to support their position.

Despite filing a police report and blocking Johnston on social media, he continued harassing her through other platforms, including PayPal and Gmail.

Ghirxi shared further evidence with the police but never returned for another assessment before her death. Borda has called for an independent inquiry, arguing that the state failed to protect her.

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Source: Times of Malta