I was interested in this very sad story, so I pulled a few article from the Mercury.
It's on microfilm box 422 Jan-Feb 1974 (Tas State Library - Hobart)
The first report is Thursday Feb 7 1974, front page.
I'll post the reports here for the 7th, 8th and 9th. There may be additional reporting/letters but I didn't look too deep into it. There is reference to a coronial inquest in the article on the 8th. I assume the outcome was reported sometime later.

- Mercury - Thursday Feb 7 1974 - Front page
And continues onto page 2.

- Mercury - Thursday Feb 7 1974 - Page 2