The investigation into the suspicious death of a young pregnant woman has been revitalised nearly a decade after she was found unresponsive by paramedics in a suburban Sydney home.
Hayley McClenahan-Ernst was 21 years old and pregnant on the day police and paramedics arrived at her home on Derby St in the outer-western Sydney suburb of Kingswood.
At about 12.15am on May 21 2017, they found her “unresponsive” at the home where Ms McClenahan-Ernst lived with her boyfriend Max Spencer.
Mr Spencer, who had previously threatened to kill her according to evidence presented during a 2025 coronial inquest, was present at the time and was charged with contravening an apprehended violence order.
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The inquest revealed that Mr Spencer told police that on the night Ms McClenahan-Ernst died, she went to stand up but fell and hit her head on a table.
“The circumstances surrounding Hayley’s death were deemed suspicious and despite extensive investigations under Strike Force Fielding, no one has been charged over her suspected murder,” police said.
“In 2025 a coronial inquest was suspended, and the matter was referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). In October 2025, detectives attached to Nepean Police Command reviewed the matter and have continued to conduct inquiries. A number of witnesses have since been identified and spoken to.”
Acting Superintendent Michael Cantrell said detectives had “spoken with a number of witnesses” and identified two more key individuals who “have information about Hayley’s death” but had not previously volunteered that information to police.
“Any piece of new information could be the key to solving this case and providing answers to Hayley’s family,” he said.
Ms McClenahan-Ernst’s mother Lisa Ernst said her daughter was “deeply loved” by her family.
“We have never stopped missing her smile, her infectious laugh, and the fierce love she had for her children,” Ms Ernst said.
“My grief over losing my daughter has only deepened with time, especially as I still have no answers about what happened to her.”
Police have urged anybody with more information to contact Crime Stoppers.
