Twelve months after the Wiradjuri woman became the first Aboriginal person to die in police custody in NSW in 16 years, her family is still waiting for answers.

The 36-year-old was found dead inside a holding cell at Maitland Police Station at 6am on July 19, 2016, more than five hours after officers found her walking along the side of Wollombi Road at Cessnock. The mother of four had not been charged. A police statement released the morning she died said officers “detained” her because she “appeared intoxicated”.

Family members marked the first anniversary of her death on Wednesday outside Maitland Police Station.

They placed flowers and candles around a framed photo of Ms Maher and listened to I’ll See You Again by the band Westlife.

Her mother, Debbie Small, her brothers and one of her sons, Kaine, were among the close family and friends who released pink and white balloons into the sky as a tribute.

“We, Rebecca's family, need to see Rebecca honoured and her death given meaning by making changes that will stop any further deaths in custody,” Ms Small said.

“I miss my beautiful daughter Rebecca so, so much. Every day you keep thinking it’s a nightmare and you will wake up.

“How do I explain what happened, to Beccy’s children, when I can't even understand it myself? Rebecca should be here with her family that love her.”

In a statement from Ms Maher’s family, long-time friend Patricia Garland said the 36-year-old should not have been placed in a holding cell.

“We believe that had Rebecca received medical care, been placed in the hands of a responsible person or taken to her mother’s place... she would not have died that day,” Ms Garland said.

“Instead, a mother lost her daughter, four children have lost their mother and her siblings a sister.”

A report into Ms Maher’s death is being prepared for the Coroner.

It is understood that some police are still preparing their statements for the brief.

Fairfax Media was unable to reach the Inspector, from Manning Great Lakes local area command, in charge of preparing the report. 

In Sydney on Wednesday, the Indigenous Social Justice Association marched from Hyde Park to NSW Parliament House in support of Ms Maher’s family.

ISJA spokesman Ken Canning said he believed Ms Maher’s death was avoidable.

“It’s important to ensure Ms Maher’s family gets justice and those responsible be held accountable,” he said.