O'Farrell quiet on Ebony house pledge

IT WAS meant to be their retirement nest egg but the couple who own the house where a seven-year-old girl was starved to death by her parents say all they have is a broken promise from the government.

By InvestSMART · 25 Sep 2011

By InvestSMART ·
25 Sep 2011

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When in opposition, Barry O'Farrell urged the NSW government to buy the Hawks Nest house from Chris and Deborah Alexiou, demolish it and create a park in memory of Ebony, as she is known.

But seven months after taking office, the Alexious say the Premier has refused to return their calls.

"[Mr O'Farrell] went on TV twice [to argue our case] but now he has got in he doesn't want to know us," Mr Alexiou, 47, said.

The couple is suing the government for compensation, with the case set to return to the Supreme Court next month.

They have been trying to sell the house since the 2007 death but potential buyers have been scared off by the grisly events that took place there, Mr Alexiou said. Under NSW law, they are required to tell potential buyers about its history.

"We have done absolutely nothing wrong but we are the victims - not as much as Ebony, but it is getting worse and worse for us," Mr Alexiou said.

The ordeal has contributed to Mrs Alexiou suffering from stress-related illness and their daughter is about to sit the Higher School Certificate. "I just want things sorted so we can get on with our lives," Mr Alexiou said.

The family rented the house to Ebony's family through the Department of Housing after they received positive reports about their rental history. But during the parents' trial it emerged they had left another Department of Housing property in Matraville putrid and infested with cockroaches.

After the child's body was found in November 2007, Mr Alexiou had to clean the house himself, saying the smell was "as though rotting animals had been in it".

Ebony's mother was found guilty of murder and her father guilty of manslaughter. They are serving jail sentences of life and 16 years respectively.

A spokesman for Mr O'Farrell said he sympathised with the Alexious and wanted to work with them to reach a satisfactory outcome. But he said it would be inappropriate to intervene in the case while it is before the courts.

"I am still committed to ensuring my government sits down and talks with the family when the court case is determined," Mr O'Farrell said in a statement.

tbarlass@sunherald.com.au

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What is the story behind the Hawks Nest house and why is it in the news for property owners and investors?

The Hawks Nest house is owned by Chris and Deborah Alexiou and became notorious after a seven-year-old girl named Ebony was starved to death by her parents in 2007. The tragic event, the ensuing criminal convictions and the public attention have made the property difficult to sell and have led the owners to seek compensation from the NSW government.

Did Premier Barry O'Farrell promise to buy and demolish the Hawks Nest house?

Yes. While in opposition, Barry O'Farrell urged the NSW government to buy the property, demolish it and create a memorial park. The Alexious say the Premier has not returned their calls since he took office. O'Farrell’s office has said it sympathises and will engage with the family once the court case is determined, noting it would be inappropriate to intervene while legal proceedings are ongoing.

Are the owners suing the NSW government for compensation and what is the current legal status?

Yes. Chris and Deborah Alexiou are suing the NSW government for compensation. According to the article, their case is scheduled to return to the Supreme Court next month.

How does NSW law affect selling a property with a notorious criminal history?

Under NSW law the owners are required to tell potential buyers about a property’s history. The article says potential buyers have been scared off by the grisly events that occurred at the Hawks Nest house, making it difficult for the owners to sell.

Was the property rented through a government agency and did that play a role in the controversy?

Yes. The Alexious family rented the house to Ebony’s family through the Department of Housing after receiving positive reports about their rental history. During the parents’ trial it emerged the family had left another Department of Housing property in Matraville in a putrid, cockroach-infested condition, which became part of public discussion.

What practical effects has the situation had on the homeowners?

The owners say the house was meant to be their retirement nest egg but they feel let down by an unfulfilled government promise. The ordeal has contributed to Mrs Alexiou suffering stress-related illness, their daughter facing important exams, and Mr Alexiou having to clean the house after the body was found, describing a severe foul smell.

What did the courts decide about Ebony’s parents and how does that affect the property issue?

Ebony’s mother was found guilty of murder and is serving a life sentence; her father was found guilty of manslaughter and is serving 16 years. Those convictions are the basis of the property’s notoriety, which has driven buyer reluctance and prompted the owners’ compensation action against the government.

What should everyday property investors take away from this case about stigma, disclosure and resale risk?

This case highlights that a property’s criminal or tragic history can significantly harm resale prospects. In NSW, sellers must disclose such history to buyers, and public notoriety can scare off potential purchasers. It also shows that government responses and legal disputes can complicate outcomes for owners, so investors should factor disclosure obligations and reputational risk into due diligence.