Queensland police have confirmed that a First Nations woman allegedly murdered by her former partner at a house south of Brisbane had contacted police earlier this month seeking help over allegations of domestic violence.
The woman was found unresponsive in the home of her former partner early on Wednesday, Queensland police said. A man had contacted emergency services at about 12.27am to report the woman was unresponsive. Police said it appeared the woman had been “asphyxiated”, and paramedics were unable to revive her.
Charges and court appearance
The man has been charged with murder (domestic violence offence) and one count of breaching a temporary domestic violence order, which was issued by a court earlier this month after the woman contacted police. He was denied bail by police and will appear in court on Thursday morning.
Detective Inspector Ian Galpin told reporters that it appeared the man and woman “at one point” were in a relationship, but that had ended. “The reason she was at that particular location is still under investigation,” Galpin said.
Police contact and response
Galpin confirmed that a temporary protection order was made in the Beenleigh magistrates court earlier this month after an application by police. “What I can tell you is that within the last 10 days police did have contact with this woman in relation to DFV-related issues and, as a result of that contact, police did initiate [civil] proceedings under the DFV Act.”
Asked whether he was confident police had acted appropriately to protect the woman, Galpin said: “Having reviewed the investigation thus far I’m satisfied that police had taken the appropriate actions and that support had been offered to this woman as well and other support services had been engaged.”
Ongoing investigation
Police said investigations into the incident were ongoing. “Detectives continue to appeal to anyone with relevant information that may assist the investigation to come forward,” they said in a statement.
