COULD Carli Barry have been saved? Why did the police search fail to find her? Have lessons been learned from her death?

For four long years, Sheila and Geoff Barry have waited for the answers. But at the inquest yesterday, they were not even able to put the questions.

The day-long investigation into Carli's disappearance and death proved wholly unsatisfactory.

An inquest should air and examine all the evidence and, wherever possible, assemble an explanation. At its conclusion, the bereaved family should feel enlightened and able to move on.

In Carli's case, this clearly has not happened. The intolerable delay is partly to blame, undermining witness testimony. These sad events happened so long ago that memories have become foggy and unreliable.

The long-awaited inquest was flawed in other ways. Mrs Barry, who bravely and impressively took on the role of inquisitor at yesterday's hearing, wanted to know why a police hunt failed to find her daughter in time.

A patrol vehicle was seen close to where her body was found before she died. Why didn't a proper search of the churchyard take place?

Because the relevant police officers were not called to question, the reason remains shrouded in mystery. Yet coroner Donald Coverdale still felt able to publicly exonerate the police.

Mr and Mrs Barry's quest for the full truth has been denied. No wonder they feel frustrated, let down and angry.

Updated: 12:30 Friday, March 11, 2005