The Australian media industry is in mourning over the death of digital marketing executive Claire Austin.
The 38-year-old passed away in a Sydney hospital on Tuesday.
A well-known figure in Australia’s events and marketing sector, Austin held senior roles at several agencies and organisations and played a foundational role in bringing SXSW Sydney to life.
According to her LinkedIn, her most recent role was with The Misfits Media Company which she joined in March as a senior event producer.
Originally from the UK, Austin moved to Australia in 2015 and quickly established herself across marketing and communications. She was one of the original team members behind the launch of SXSW Sydney, where she held dual full-time roles, first as project manager and later as account management lead.
In a statement published via LinkedIn, SXSW Sydney acknowledged Austin’s lasting contributions:
“Our team mourns the loss of one of its foundational members… Claire touched the hearts of everyone on our team and the clients she worked with through her warmth, creativity, and dedication.”
“Her thoughtful approach helped shape not just our work, but the spirit of our team during those formative days of bringing SXSW to Sydney.”
Austin joined the The Misfits two months ago to support the delivery of its Cairns Crocodiles event as part of its client services team.
In a statement, The Misfits confirmed her death was related to an alleged domestic violence incident:
“Claire was a beautiful human in every sense of the word… She had a warmth that we all gravitated to. Her compassion for others was evident in the way she worked and lived.”
“To those who knew her, Claire wasn’t just a colleague at The Do Collective, she was a friend. Her presence uplifted the team and her endless determination made a lasting impact on every client she touched.”
The Misfits added that, while Claire was new to the business, “her warmth and charm immediately affected us all.”
NSW Police have launched Strike Force Lyndoch to investigate the circumstances surrounding Austin’s death, which has been described as suspicious.
Out of respect for Austin’s family, both SXSW Sydney and The Misfits have requested privacy and declined to provide further public comment.