Claire Austin, Original Member of SXSW Sydney Team, Dies at 38
Claire Austin, the Sydney-based marketing professional and original team member of SXSW Sydney, died Tuesday, April 16th in a Sydney hospital. She was 38.
Austin was a well-loved colleague at the annual conference, for which she served in two full-time roles, initially as project manager, then as account management lead.
“Our team mourns the loss of one of its foundational members,” reads a statement from SXSW Sydney, posted on LinkedIn. “With a heavy heart, we send our condolences to Claire’s family and friends in her passing. Claire touched the hearts of everyone on our team and the clients she worked with through her warmth, creativity, and dedication,” the message continues.
“Her thoughtful approach helped shape not just our work, but the spirit of our team during those formative days of bringing SXSW to Sydney. The impact of her presence continues to resonate with all who had the privilege of working alongside her.”
Born and raised in the UK, Austin relocated to Australia in 2015, and served in a string of senior marketing and communications roles in Sydney over the past decade. Just last month, Austin joined The Misfits Media Company as senior event producer.
NSW Police has established a strike force — Strike Force Lyndoch — to investigate Austin’s death, which is described as “suspicious”.
The marketing professional was found critically injured at Randwick at the weekend, following reports of a concern for welfare.
On arrival, officers with the Eastern Beaches Police Area Command “found a 38-year-old woman with a severe laceration to her arm”.
NSW Ambulance paramedics provided treatment, before taking her to St Vincent’s Hospital in a critical condition, where she later passed.
A man at the scene was taken to Maroubra Police Station to assist with inquiries, and was released without charge. No arrests have been made.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has addressed the tragedy. “I can just imagine how devastated they are today,” he said of Austin’s family and friends. “It’s another example of somebody dying, allegedly at the hands of domestic violence”.
Minns added, “I want the public to be assured that there’s a task force that’s been set up by NSW Police. They’re taking it incredibly seriously and the focus will be justice for that woman and her family”.
Strike force detectives are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Eastern Beaches Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.