Melbourne father admits to murdering estranged wife in brutal backyard attack
A father-of-four has pleaded guilty to murdering his estranged wife in a horrific backyard stabbing that occurred just moments after she returned from dropping their children at primary school.
Jessie James Tumaliuan, 41, of Hoppers Crossing in Melbourne's western suburbs, appeared before the Supreme Court of Victoria on Wednesday where he admitted to a single charge of murder. The 41-year-old former merchant sailor was accused of stabbing his estranged partner Czarina Gatbonton Tumaliuan, 42, to death at her Werribee home in March.
Court indicates sentencing parameters
The guilty plea followed a hearing where Justice Amanda Fox provided an indication that she would sentence Tumaliuan to up to 26 years imprisonment if he pleaded guilty to the charge. According to the court's indication, he would need to serve 20 years of that sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
This development represents a significant twist nearly ten months after the fatal attack. In accepting the plea, Justice Fox vacated a previously scheduled trial date of February 3 and listed the matter for a pre-sentence plea hearing on March 13, where formal sentencing submissions are expected to be presented.
Defence seeks psychiatric assessment
The court heard that Tumaliuan's defence team intends to have him assessed by a forensic psychiatrist before the March hearing, hoping this evaluation might further mitigate his anticipated sentence. His barrister, Chris Hooper, previously informed the court that the couple had been separated before the murder, though his client had continued to visit their family home.
According to Mr Hooper's statements on Friday, Tumaliuan used a key to enter the property on the day of the killing, intending to confront his wife verbally about financial matters. CCTV footage captured portions of the incident, including Ms Tumaliuan's screams as she fled into the backyard, though the recording fell silent approximately ten seconds later.
Details of the fatal confrontation
Mr Hooper acknowledged that his client accepted his wife was unarmed during the attack, while he had equipped himself with a knife. 'No fault is laid at her feet at all,' he stated. 'She was defenceless and there were multiple stab wounds.'
However, the defence barrister argued that Tumaliuan had not visited the house with murderous intent, as he was initially unarmed. 'Circumstances occurred off-camera ... where his intention was not to kill, but to cause really serious injury, that's his position,' Mr Hooper explained to the court.
Prosecution describes sustained attack
Prosecutor Nadia Kaddeche told the court that an assault began inside the home before the victim escaped outside, where she could be heard saying she had been hurt. 'There is no desisting from when she goes outside and it (the assault) continues not on camera, around the side of the house,' Ms Kaddeche detailed.
The court was informed that Tumaliuan called triple zero for assistance three times following the attack. Ms Tumaliuan's home was situated directly across the road from Bethany Catholic Primary School in Werribee, with neighbours reportedly hearing her blood-curdling screams shortly after she was observed walking her children to school.
Community shock and police response
Officers were called to the Retford Close residence around 9am on the day of the murder. One local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, reported seeing a man whose clothes were covered in blood standing outside the property. Another neighbour, Darren Fudyma, told media that police had advised him someone had been stabbed inside a home that detectives had sealed off.
Police temporarily prevented parents from collecting their children at the school exit near the home where Ms Tumaliuan's body was discovered, creating significant disruption and concern within the local community.
Victim remembered as dedicated mother and businesswoman
The popular businesswoman had operated Bellizzima Online Shop while caring for her four children. Her Facebook page proudly highlighted her ability to balance motherhood and entrepreneurship, declaring herself a 'working mum, businesswoman and supermum.'
A self-described foodie and adventurer, Ms Tumaliuan often encouraged other mothers to pursue their dreams. In a 2023 post, she wrote: 'Successful mothers/women are not the ones that never struggled. They are the ones that never give up, despite the struggles.' She had described her children as her 'treasure, pride, joy and inspiration.'
Relationship history and social media presence
Her husband had studied at the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy and worked as a sailor. His social media profiles contain numerous photographs of himself and Ms Tumaliuan during happier periods in their relationship, including images showing the family enjoying beach outings and other recreational activities.
It remains unclear precisely when the couple's relationship deteriorated to the point of violence. Tumaliuan has been returned to prison and will reappear in court on March 13 for the pre-sentence plea hearing, where further details about the case and his background are expected to emerge.
