Police have recovered three firearms from the home of Ryan Geoffrey Cole, including a handgun they believe was used to kill Natalie Frahm. The 31-year-old is accused of shooting his neighbour as she sat in a car with two children in Mackay, north Queensland, on 19 June.
Cole was arrested after a manhunt across the regional city. Investigators are examining how he allegedly obtained the firearms after his weapons licence was revoked three years ago.
Detective Acting Superintendent Emma Novosel said the seized items included a homemade, inoperable long-arm rifle, an air rifle and a .22-calibre pistol. Preliminary forensic and ballistic advice suggests the pistol was used to kill Frahm and seriously injure James McGill, 66, who came to her aid after the two girls, aged 11 and 12, escaped the car.
“None of the weapons located at that residence are currently, nor have they been previously, registered,” Supt Novosel said. “Investigations are ongoing into the origin of the pistol and how it came to be in the possession of the defendant.”
Tributes have poured in for Frahm, with a GoFundMe fundraiser set up for the two girls. Cole remains in custody charged with murder and attempted murder.
