We count every known death due to violence against women in Australia:
58 by December 31.
If you are using the research from this project, please credit the work of the researchers who do this heartbreaking and difficult work. They are the Counting Dead Women Australia researchers of Destroy The Joint. Thank you.
Destroy The Joint and Counting Dead Women Australia also thank the many journalists in Australia who continue to report responsibly on the epidemic of violence against women and whose work is used here as reference.
Our register for 2017 now stands at 58.
58
December 30:
Christine D’Cruz (19) was found dead of knife wounds at a house in Mandurah. Junior Carlos (25), her partner and father of their one-month-old baby, pleaded guilty to her murder. https://tinyurl.com/wynnutc WA
57
December 28:
Emergency services were called to a home in Kyneton after a reported assault. Alicia Little (41) was treated by paramedics, but died at the scene of massive trauma injuries. Her partner, Charles Evans (44) was charged with her murder but pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and failing to render assistance. Was released in 2020 and has been noted on an online dating site. In 2021 he moved close to Ms Little's family, who are now campaigning for a national database for FDV. https://tinyurl.com/2p8sfxux https://tinyurl.com/mbx3hhjs VIC
56
December 22:
Tracey Hill (53) was bludgeoned to death, her body found by her daughter, at a house in Rockhampton. Police declared a crime scene, and commenced searching for the woman’s unnamed son-in-law (25) who was seen leaving the house early in the morning. Later in the morning he drove his car into a police vehicle and died at the scene of self-inflicted injuries No further details are available at present. https://goo.gl/gZJieK https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/rockhampton/tragic-end-to-rockhampton-murder-victims-new-beginning/news-story/45b4b8a3e6ce4980d3410e06b531568c QLD
55
December 6:
Pauline Farrugia (67) was found dead at her home in South Penrith on December 6 after her friends raised concerns for her welfare when she failed to attend bingo at Penrith RSL on December 1. Her grandson, Ethan Harwood (19) has been found guilty of her murder. https://tinyurl.com/srk3gox https://goo.gl/Ytzutm NSW
54
November 27 (approx.):
Constance Watcho (36) was last seen in Brisbane on the morning of 27 November 2017. After wide family inquiries proved fruitless she was reported missing in early February 2018. On September 10th 2018 her dismembered remains were found in bushland at Kangaroo Point. A coronial inquiry commenced in September 2022 . In June 2024 the coroner was unable to identify any person as implicated in Ms Watcho's death, but recommended the investigation continue along with the police reward for information. https://www.coronerscourt.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/800892/watcho-constance-findings.pdf
53
November 23:
Yen "Lily" Ngo (42) died in hospital at Sunshine, from gunshot wounds. Qasim House (32), known to Ms Ngo, has been charged with manslaughter. No further details are available at present. https://thewest.com.au/news/crime/accused-killer-spoke-of-war-court-told-c-2535803 VIC
52
November 20:
Georgia Karatzas (68) was found dead at her home in Mount Waverley by a. family member. Her husband Anastasios Karatzas (68) has been found guilty of her murder. https://tinyurl.com/yxukve7v https://tinyurl.com/yxu9ycar https://goo.gl/f7RHKw VIC
51
November 18:
An unnamed woman (35) died of stab wounds at her home in Kowanyama in the early hours of Saturday morning. An unnamed man (29) believed to the woman’s partner, has been charged with her murder. No further details are known at present. https://goo.gl/zDbWe3 https://goo.gl/PZwDhL QLD
50
November 12:
Kim Cobby (51) was found dead on a street in Worongary, having suffered fatal head injuries. Her ex-husband Andrew Cobby (55) was found in a nearby street with non-serious injuries and was charged with murder. In November 2021 he was found guilty. No further details are available at present. https://tinyurl.com/2vbz576r https://tinyurl.com/4nz9yh7f QLD
49
November 9:
Gail Karran (66) died in Hervey Bay hospital. In November 2018 her husband William Karran (73) was charged with her manslaughter and more than 20 offences including torture and deprivation of liberty. Police also confirm domestic violence related offences. No further details are known at present. https://tinyurl.com/y8gvf2sn QLD
48
November 3:
Shirley Page (72) died in hospital 11 days after being assaulted at her home in South Mackay. An unnamed man (22) believed known to Ms Page, allegedly pushed her to the ground on October 23 causing a severe head injury. He has been charged with grievous bodily harm, and it is likely that this charge will be upgraded at his next court appearance. No further details are available at present. https://goo.gl/TqG2yU QLD
47
October 9:
The body of Hee Kyung Choi (34) was found in an alleyway suffering injuries consistent with falling from her 23rd floor apartment in Chatswood. Ms Choi’s partner, June Oh Seo (37) was arrested after a 12 hour stand-off. He has been found guilty of her murder. https://www.theage.com.au/national/nsw/she-must-have-been-terrified-of-him-man-jailed-for-chatswood-balcony-murder-20190531-p51t8f.html https://goo.gl/L8kFKd https://goo.gl/RtXriF NSW
46
September (nd):
Shirley Thompson (73), died in hospital at Blacktown. Her death was notified to police by hospital staff after her admission in a severely debilitated state. Her sons, Philip and David Thompson, who were her carers, have been charged with manslaughter and remain in custody. Prosecutors allege that Shirley suffered an "undignified and agonising death", unwashed, bruised, untoileted and suffering multiple untreated bedsores which resulted in septicaemia. https://tinyurl.com/y9ou29m3 NSW
45
September 30:
Sarah Brown (34) was stabbed to death at a house in Whalan. Her ex-partner Russell Wood (26) has been charged with murder and contravening a family violence order. No further details are available at this stage. https://goo.gl/QeG2g8 https://goo.gl/oW9xwd NSW
44
September 29:
An unnamed woman (25) died in hospital after being stabbed at a home in Kununurra. An unnamed man (30), believed to be known to the woman, is assisting with police inquiries. No further details are available at this stage. https://goo.gl/MxjoCg WA
43
September 29:
Blair Dalton (35) was found by police in her Ettalong Beach home in a critical condition with severe strangulation injuries on the evening of September 26 and died in hospital two days later. Ms Dalton’s ex-partner Lance Pearce (34) was charged with attempted murder, but died in non-suspicious circumstances in his police cell before the charge could be upgraded to murder at his next court appearance. No further details are available at present. https://goo.gl/QVh3Lr NSW
42
September 18:
Lanell Latta (50) was found stabbed to death at her home in Avalon. Her son Joel Woszatka, (25), was arrested nearby and has been charged with murder. No further details are available at present. https://goo.gl/FeAxUX NSW
41
September 7:
Hoa Thi Huynh (44) died of blunt force trauma injuries in a house at View Street St Albans. Her body was found three days later. On September 20, police arrested her partner, Phuc Thien Tang (49). He was found guilty of her murder in 2018. https://tinyurl.com/42zay9n5 https://goo.gl/gsgLRJ VIC
40
September 4:
An unnamed woman (71) was found dead after police and emergency services were called to a home in Brady Street, Croydon, NSW. An unnamed man (77) was taken for hospital treatment and later charged with murder. No further details are available at present https://goo.gl/D89TB8 NSW
39
September 1:
Jean Huang (35), the manager of an unlicensed beauty clinic, died in a Sydney hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest while undergoing a breast enhancement procedure which was not approved in Australia at the time. She was administered an overdose of local anaesthetic by Jie Shao (33) who was not registered as a medical practitioner in Australia or in China. Shao has been found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to six years and nine months in jail.
38
August 28:
Marilyn Burdon (70) was shot dead at her home in Princess Street, Kew. Her partner Charles Bisucci (69) was also found dead in a murder-suicide. A friend had obtained guns for Bisucci him despite orders banning him from gun ownership. https://tinyurl.com/nfhuufx2 https://tinyurl.com/4pttyq5o VIC
37
August 10:
Allecha Boyd (27) was last seen in Coolamon. She was reported missing on August 22. On 9th December 2020 a body was found near Wagga Wagga. Police are awaiting the results of DNA testing before making a positive identification but, because of other information and circumstances, they strongly believe they have found Ms Boyd's remains. Samuel Shepard (37), who was known to Ms Boyd, pleaded guilty to her murder. Anthony Hagan (21) and Tracy King (38) were found guilty of being accessories after the fact. https://tinyurl.com/y6efzjtj https://tinyurl.com/tqc294s https://tinyurl.com/qmcb7nh https://goo.gl/d5qh87 NSW
36
August 8:
Tanja Ebert (23) was last seen alive, having reportedly left the family car at a service station at Roseworthy after a disagreement with her husband Michael Burdon (41). She was reported missing two days later. Her body has not yet been found, and police declared a murder investigation on August 13. Mr Burdon shot himself on August 16 during a police search of the family property on the SA / NSW border. No other person is being sought in connection with the investigation. https://goo.gl/3rMFiF SA
35
August 6:
The body of Donna Steele (42) was found by police at Cooktown. Ms Steele had been declared as a missing person and was last seen Wednesday, August 03. Police have asked for anyone with information to come forward. No further details are known at present. https://goo.gl/qwYXgS QLD
34
July 28:
Margaret McCullough (76) was found shot dead at a property in Olinda, near Mudgee in Central West NSW. Police say that her ex partner William George Stafford (76) shot her while he was subject to an apprehended violence order, and was out on bail after previously stalking and attacking her. He later committed suicide. https://goo.gl/18921F https://goo.gl/Hb6ATx NSW
33
July 25:
The body of Jennifer Borchardt (49) was found stabbed to death at her house in Richmond. Peter Pavlis (75) has been charged with murder. Ms Borchardt and Mr Pavlis were known to each other, as company co-directors. No further details are available at present. https://goo.gl/D6YQPv VIC
32
July 16:
On July 13 2017, a community nurse found an unnamed woman (75) suffering severe injuries at her home in Nundle. The woman was rushed to hospital by ambulance, and died from her injuries three days later. Following several months of investigations and an autopsy, detectives charged Neil Morris, known to the woman, with failing to provide the necessities of life before the charge was upgraded too manslaughter in August 2018. https://tinyurl.com/ya7365pj NSW
31
July 14:
The body of Rebecca Gascoigne (35) was found bound and wrapped in a rug in a car on a Perth freeway. Shawn Newton (42), believed known to Ms Gascoigne, fled and was on the run for 10 days. Police charged him with murder on July 25. No further details are available at present. https://goo.gl/cNS9nM https://goo.gl/EWdNN9 WA
30
July 14:
Ozlem Karakoc (34) was drowned in the bath at her home in Lalor. Her ex-partner Murat Davsanoglu (42) drove her body to South Australia before changing his mind and returning to Melbourne where he handed himself in to police. He initially claimed she had died as the result of a 'suicide pact' but was found guilty of her murder in 2019. https://tinyurl.com/2hn92n57 https://tinyurl.com/2p849zn2 VIC
29
July 12:
Olivia Hailstone (38) of Cowra, who was found critically injured at a caravan park in the the NSW central west last month, has died. Police set up a crime scene at the time and believe Ms Hailstone was probably attacked on a nearby roadway and dragged back to the caravan where she lived with her partner. https://tinyurl.com/yatkz2np NSW
28
June 30:
Raichele Galea (44) was found stabbed to death at a friend’s house at Corio. It is believed that up to 5 people were in the house at the time of the attack. Travis Wills (22), a family friend of Ms Galea, was found guilty of her manslaughter. https://tinyurl.com/t8k4o27 https://goo.gl/sNWMpV VIC
27
June 26:
An unnamed woman (21) was stabbed to death at Kalkarindji. Another woman (23), also unnamed, has been charged with murder. No further details are available at present. https://goo.gl/7uES4m NT
26
June 15:
Margaret Mitchell (81) of Stratton has been allegedly murdered. She lived alone and police believe she was killed on Thursday night. Her body was found on Friday afternoon. Her daughter Tania Denise Shayler (49) has been charged with her murder. http://tinyurl.com/y4o3sk2w https://goo.gl/g9gMY6 https://goo.gl/QdYhYM WA
25
May 23:
Fatma Solmaz (61) was brutally beaten and then strangled at her home in Sunshine West. Her ex-husband Mehmed Solmaz (62) fled to Queensland, but later confessed to her murder and was found guilty in August 2019. https://tinyurl.com/y26dn2m4 https://tinyurl.com/y3dhlom4 VIC
24
May 15:
Patricia Phillip (84), mother of Sherril Pountney, was found dead with her daughter at their home in Millicent. Sherril’s partner Bo Olsson (53) gave himself up to police at Berri 400km away. He has been charged with 2 counts of murder. No further details are available at present. http://tinyurl.com/lll3jwa SA
23
May 15:
Sherril Pountney (63), daughter of Patricia Phillip, was found dead with her mother at their home in Millicent. Her partner, Bo Olsson (53) gave himself up to police at Berri 400km away. He has been charged with 2 counts of murder. No further details are available at present http://tinyurl.com/lll3jwa SA
22
May 15:
Linda Connors (55) was found dead at the home in Sylvania where she lived with her two sons. She was found by her older son. Her younger son Nathan White (28) has pleaded guilty on the basis of substantial impairment to her manslaughter. No further details are available at present. https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/woman-found-dead-in-sylvania-home-with-extensive-injuries/news-story/8ae0c66d542a2e587e59217bed785e81 http://tinyurl.com/kwkynp6 NSW
21
April 29:
Maureen Kenny (69) was stabbed to death at her home in Stafford Heights, Brisbane. Her husband Brian Kenny (68) has been charged with her murder. No further details are available at present.. http://tinyurl.com/ka4e5cu QLD
20
April 25:
Ora Holt (39) was shot in a murder-suicide after fleeing to her neighbours’ home in Wangarratta. Her partner, Gregory Floyd (43) shot himself after a police siege. Ms Holt’s 4 children survived. No further details are available at present. http://tinyurl.com/kytvt98 VIC
19
April 20–24 (date unverified):
Sarah Gatt (40) was attacked and killed. In January 2018, police found her remains by chance in a bathtub at her unit in Kensington while attending an incident in the same street. Her partner Andrew Baker (52) was charged with her murder in December 2019. Trial commenced in January 2023 but the jury failed to reach a verdict. A second jury also failed to reach a verdict in March 2024. Nothing further is known. https://tinyurl.com/yx9662b9 https://tinyurl.com/3rtdrths VIC
18
April 23:
Ivanka Kraisnik (78) was found stabbed to death at her home in Patterson Lakes. Her husband Semso Kraisnik (78), has been charged with her murder. No further details are available at present. http://tinyurl.com/k9awlzh VIC
17
April 20:
Nicole Rankine (38) was rushed to hospital on April 18 after being stabbed at a unit in Gilberton, and died two days later. Her partner Stanley Pausa (41) has been found guilty of her manslaughter. https://tinyurl.com/yat5sbpf http://tinyurl.com/metoxfn SA
16
April 16:
The body of Helen Dansie, 67, was recovered from a 1.5m-deep pond in Veale Gardens. Her husband, Peter Dansie, 68, was found guilty of her murder in February 2020. His second appeal against the conviction was unanimously rejected by the Court of Appeal in March 2024. https://tinyurl.com/mvtrzea3 https://tinyurl.com/3dpbm3jt SA
15
April 12:
At about 6am Samantha Hegyi (30) was found dead by her daughter at her home in Toowoon Bay. She died of septicaemia following an implant performed on March 20th by body modifier Brendon Russell (40). Russell actively dissuaded Ms Hegyi from seeking medical care for infection after he implanted a plastic snowflake under the skin of her hand. In July 2022 he was sentenced to 10 years for her manslaughter and for charges related to disfigurement of 2 other women. He appealed his sentence in September 2023. Nothing further is known.
14
April 5:
China Crawford (32) was found dead in her home at Bentley Park, after missing work for 2 days. Richard Dunlop (26), who was known to Ms Crawford, has been arrested and charged with murder, interfering with a corpse and stealing. No further information is available at present. http://tinyurl.com/lhcdzcz https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-08/cairns-murder-charge-china-crawford-man-charged/8427536 QLD
13
March 20:
An unnamed woman (75) was found critically injured, and died shortly after, at her Piara Waters home. Her husband (87) has been charged with her murder. Police investigations continue. No further details are available at present. http://tinyurl.com/ljcnzhy WA
12
March 18:
The body of Ms Chapman – whose first name is not used, in respect for cultural tradition - was found in an alcove at a shopping centre in Broome. She had been violently assaulted and left to die. Her partner, Les McLarty (21) has been convicted of her murder. https://tinyurl.com/yb7qtotd WA
11
March 7:
Harjit Kaur (56) was found dead by her son at her home in Glenwood. Her husband Jagdish Singh (57), was found nearby and was charged with murder. MrSingh was found dead in January 2018. No further details are available at present. https://www.sbs.com.au/language/punjabi/en/podcast-episode/accused-wife-killer-jagdish-singh-found-dead-in-sydney/vhoe5fzgj http://tinyurl.com/hcqh8xv NSW
10
March 5:
Donna Green (55) was found dead in her Bankstown flat after police were called for a welfare check. Her partner Robert Cooper (44) was found hiding nearby. He has been found guilty of murder. No further details are available at present. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/16/man-who-gave-seriously-ill-partner-heroin-in-mercy-killing-jailed-for-at-least-10-years http://tinyurl.com/j66z9to NSW
9
March 1:
Zoe Burmeister (15), daughter of Tanya (see below), died in an alleged arson attack at an abandoned factory in Melbourne, where they were squatting. David Griffiths (39) also died in the fire. Darren Clover (52), Tanya’s ex-partner, has been charged with their murders. http://tinyurl.com/lla2u56 VIC
8
March 1:
Tanya Burmeister (32) and her daughter Zoe (15) died in an alleged arson attack at an abandoned factory in Melbourne, where they were squatting. David Griffiths (39) also died in the fire. Darren Clover (52), Tanya’s ex-partner, has been charged with their murders. http://tinyurl.com/lla2u56 VIC
7
February 18:
Khondkar Faihi Elahi (29) was stabbed fourteen times in the chest at her home in Campbell St, Parramatta, in Western Sydney, at about 10pm. She later died in Westmead Hospital despite the efforts of ambulance officers to save her. Her husband, Shahab Ahmed (33) has been found guilty of her murder. https://tinyurl.com/yyp7by4w https://goo.gl/ZTcqVJ NSW
6
February 18:
An unnamed woman (71) was found dead, reportedly of gunshot wounds at a property on Cameron Creek Road at Hope Vale, around five hours drive north of Cairns in far north Queensland. Her daughter (46) has been arrested and charged with murder after a 5 hour siege. http://tinyurl.com/z268glg QLD
5
February 2:
An unnamed woman (50) was found seriously injured at a house at St Albans and died of stab wounds in the ambulance on the way to hospital. An unnamed man (63) wanted in relation to the stabbing was found dead of stab wounds. Police are not looking for anyone else, and will prepare a coroners report.. No further details are available at present. http://tinyurl.com/z6du93w VIC
4
January 31:
Theresa Bradford (40) was killed at her home in Pimpama, in front of her young children. Her estranged husband David Bradford (52) inflicted fatal blows to her head with an axe and was also found dead of self-inflicted injuries at the scene. He had recently been released from custody after being found guilty of previous violence against Ms Bradford. A coroner's report in June 2021 confirmed Ms Bradford was the victim of a murder-suicide. https://tinyurl.com/4xbsu29y http://tinyurl.com/znagovt QLD
3
January 20:
Kwementyaye Foster (33) was bashed to death at her home in Tennant Creek. In April 2021 her partner Baden Flash (34) was found guilty of her murder. https://tinyurl.com/3nbzeme5 https://tinyurl.com/yae7v7gu NT
2
January 8:
Leonie Ivanoff (74) was found stabbed to death at her home in Umina, NSW. Her husband Ben Ivanoff (77) has been charged with her murder. http://tinyurl.com/hqlmyjt NSW
1
January 1:
Amelie Ura Tapaki (64) was pronounced dead at Cairns Hospital after being run down by a car earlier that night. Her son Teakaura Tapaki (27) was charged with dangerous driving causing death and unlicensed driving. He was refused bail due to a history of dangerous driving and domestic violence http://tinyurl.com/zot2zhr QLD
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