Man Charged with Murder in 2017 Death of Pregnant Sydney Woman
A man has been charged with murder following a renewed investigation into the 2017 death of pregnant western Sydney woman Hayley McClenahan-Ernst. Emergency services were called in May 2017 to a home on Derby Street in Kingswood, where the 21-year-old was found unresponsive. NSW Ambulance paramedics attempted to revive her, but she died at the scene.
Initial Investigation and Suspicious Circumstances
During police interviews, the man told authorities that McClenahan-Ernst fell and hit her head. No charges were laid over her death at the time, but her death was deemed suspicious. This prompted extensive inquiries under Strike Force Fielding, a specialist taskforce established by NSW Police to investigate her death.
Coronial Inquest and New Developments
In a coronial inquest, Max Spencer's own mother texted others that he had "killed Hayley" and "smashed her face in." The same coronial inquest was later suspended in 2025 and referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. In a 2025 statement, McClenahan-Ernst's mother, Lisa Ernst, made a public plea for community help to solve her daughter's death.
"Hayley was deeply loved by our family and we have never stopped missing her smile, her infectious laugh, and the fierce love she had for her children," she said. "My grief over losing my daughter has only deepened with time, especially as I still have no answers about what happened to Hayley."
Renewed Police Efforts and Arrest
Detectives from Nepean Police Area Command reviewed the case in late 2025 and continued to pursue new lines of inquiry. Following further investigations and a public appeal, strike force detectives attended a property at Bucca, north of Coffs Harbour, just before 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, where they arrested Max Spencer, 30. He was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station and charged with murder.
Spencer did not apply for bail and will return to court in June. The case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to seek justice in cold cases, with this arrest marking a significant breakthrough after years of investigation and community appeals.
