In a significant development in a long-standing case, a man has been charged with the murder of Hayley McClenahan-Ernst, a pregnant woman who was found dead in 2017. The case, which has been under review for nearly a decade, saw 30-year-old Max Spencer arrested on Tuesday, April 14, 2023, at a property in Coffs Harbour by New South Wales Police.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Hayley-McClenahan-Ernst-2-041426-8f8163cf3cfe427291063ca9a2b47912.jpg)
Hayley McClenahan-Ernst, aged 21 at her time of death, was discovered unresponsive in her residence on Derby Street at approximately 12:15 a.m. on Sunday, May 21, 2017. Reports indicate that this was a property she shared with Spencer, who at the time was her former partner. Emergency services made attempts to resuscitate her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following McClenahan-Ernst’s tragic death, which was deemed suspicious, authorities initiated extensive investigations under an operation known as Strike Force Fielding. In the aftermath of her death, a 21-year-old man, unrelated to Spencer, was charged with breaching a prohibition order in connection with domestic violence related to the victim but was dealt with separately in the court system.
For several years, the case remained stagnant until a coronial inquest was suspended in 2025, subsequently leading the investigation to be redirected to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). The Nepean Police Command, taking a renewed interest in the case, began a thorough review in October 2025, which culminated in the recent arrest of Spencer following further inquiries and a public appeal for additional witnesses.
In an emotional statement, Lisa Ernst, the mother of Hayley McClenahan-Ernst, expressed her ongoing grief and longing for answers regarding her daughter’s death. She described Hayley as “deeply loved” and lamented the loss of her smile and laughter, emphasising the profound impact her absence has had on their family. “My grief over losing my daughter has only deepened with time, especially as I still have no answers about what happened to Hayley,” she remarked.
The charge against Spencer has been a crucial step in seeking justice for McClenahan-Ernst and her family. Investigators note the importance of the case, which highlights the critical issues surrounding domestic violence and its far-reaching implications on the victims’ families.
Max Spencer has been formally charged with murder and is scheduled to appear in Penrith Local Court on June 12, 2023. As this case continues to unfold, many are left waiting to see what the judicial process will reveal and how it will impact the surviving members of the McClenahan-Ernst family.
Police continue to encourage individuals with information relevant to the case to come forward, reiterating the importance of community involvement in resolving such tragic incidents. The case of Hayley McClenahan-Ernst serves as a grim reminder of the need for vigilance and support for those affected by domestic violence.
As the legal proceedings commence, updates on the case will be closely monitored. Many in the community are hopeful that justice will finally be served, allowing Hayley’s family to find peace after years of unanswered questions regarding her untimely death.