Police step in after star’s home birth loss

A grieving couple in New South Wales, Australia, are seeking answers after their newborn son died on the day he was born. Police have started an investigation into the baby’s death.

Pala Negara, a former star of *Ex on the Beach*, and her partner, Chris Hunter, welcomed their son, Harmony Hunter, on August 28, 2026, at their home in Possum Creek, about 15 kilometres west of Byron Bay.

Ms Negara, 38, went into labour 20 days after her original due date. After the baby was born, both mother and child were taken to Gold Coast University Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, Harmony died later that day.

The couple say Harmony suffered a serious lack of oxygen after the placenta separated from the womb too early. Ms Negara also said she experienced heavy bleeding after giving birth and has needed hospital care several times since.

Parents say they were let down

The couple believe the health system failed to give them the care and support they needed.

Ms Negara had planned to give birth at home through a program run by Byron Central Hospital. She said the hospital told her it could no longer provide care when she was 41 weeks and six days pregnant.

She said she then went into labour unexpectedly at home and felt she had been left without the professional help she needed.

Ms Negara said pregnant women should not have to work out how to get urgent hospital care or find their own medical records during such a vulnerable time.

She said the couple had asked for care and their medical file, but felt they had been left to deal with the situation alone. She hopes the investigation will examine whether problems within the health system contributed to what happened.

Police and health authorities respond

NSW Police confirmed that officers from the Tweed/Byron Police District had begun investigating the newborn’s death.

Police said they were told the baby had been born at Possum Creek at about 4.30am on August 28 and later died at a Gold Coast hospital. Officers will prepare a report for the Coroner.

Northern NSW Local Health District offered its condolences to the family. The health authority said it had cooperated with the Queensland Coroner and provided information requested as part of the investigation.

It said it could not comment further while the matter was being investigated.

The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding Harmony’s birth and death. The information released so far does not establish whether any individual or organisation was responsible.

Couple remember their baby boy

The couple first shared news of their loss about four weeks ago.

Ms Negara posted a tribute to Harmony on social media, describing him as their beloved baby and saying his short life had changed them forever. She also shared moments from his memorial service, held on Bundjalung Country.

Mr Hunter also paid tribute to his son, saying Harmony had arrived like an angel and left a lasting mark on their family.

Their posts received messages of sympathy from people expressing sadness and offering support during their grief.

The couple are now hoping the investigation will provide answers about what happened to their son.