Lives lost to gender based violence
The chairs in the "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" art installation serve as poignant tribute to the individual women who have lost their lives to gender-based violence. Each chair, left intentionally empty, symbolises the absence of a life taken too soon, while the act of painting them gives artists the opportunity to express for themselves and for all of use, the impact of lives lost to gender based violence.
Below we acknowledge the lives of the women in Australia* who have lost their lives to gender based violence:
NSW
On January 7th emergency services were called to a housefire in Bribbaree (NSW) where 65-year-old Nerol was found with severe burns. She was treated at the scene and later airlifted Hospital but died at about 3am next morning. Police allege her son Shannon Doble (42) deliberately lit the fire and has been charged with three domestic violence offences including murder, and damaging property with fire.
Nerol Doble Bribbaree
Police were called to Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital just before 3am on January 4th after reports of a patient assault. They found that Samira (80) had been attacked, choked and had her head bashed against a wall in the emergency department. She remained in hospital in a critical condition for over a month before dying. Her daughters aged 63 and 58 were also assaulted. There is no known connection between the women and the alleged attacker. Richard Lim (28), who was a patient at the hospital, was arrested, remanded in custody and charged with assault. In April 2024 he was charged with murder.
Samira Kammalledine Bankstown
Jade Young Bondi Junction
At approximately 3.20pm on the 13th April, police began to receive emergency calls from a Bondi Junction shopping centre. In the ensuing minutes a lone attacker stabbed to death Jade (55), The perpetrator, Joel Cauchi (40) was known to authorities.
Francis Massie Evans Head
At about 8.10am on the 08th March, Police officers arrived to find her body in the boot of a car. Francis had suffered fatal stab wounds. Her son Jeramie Massie (39) was arrested at the scene and has been charged with murder and interference with a corpse (DV).
Pikria Darchia Bondi Junction
At approximately 3.20pm on the 13th April, police began to receive emergency calls from a Bondi Junction shopping centre. In the ensuing minutes a lone attacker stabbed to death Pikria (55), The perpetrator, Joel Cauchi (40) was known to authorities.
Molly Ticehurst Forbes
Police were called to a home in Forbes at around 1.50 am after concerns for a woman’s welfare. On arrival they found the body of Molly (28), killed in a brutal assault. Her ex-partner Daniel Billings (29) was arrested at a property in Fifield, about 100km away. He has been charged with murder and with contravening the terms of an apprehended violence order (AVO).
Sarah Miles Casino
On June 29, at about 2.30am police attended a home in Casino following reports of a concern for welfare. Officers found Sarah who, despite all efforts, died at the scene after suffering critical head injuries. Her partner, Dwayne Creighton (31), was arrested at the scene and has been charged with murder.
Xiaoting Wang Burwood
On August 12 Emergency services were called to a unit complex in Burwood, NSW, just after 9.45am following reports of a concern for welfare. On arrival, the body of an as-yet-unidentified man was found in the courtyard of the complex. Soon afterwards investigating officers found the body of Xiaoting Wang (21), who had suffered fatal stab wounds in a unit within the building. The relationship, if any, between Ms Wang and the man is not known.
Christine Mills Coffs Harbour
At about 5.25pm on October 2nd police were called to a property in Coffs Harbour for a welfare check. On arrival Christine (58) was found with severe facial injuries and despite all treatment she died five days later. Her son, Zachary Mills (30) left the scene before police arrived. He was arrested and faces charges including murder and contravening an apprehended violence order. Bail was formally refuse.
Donna Baraket Tweed Heads
On February 08th emergency services were called to an address in Tweed Heads West after a request for a welfare check. On arrival they found the body of Donna (aged in her 60s). Police later found an Connor Bulluss, 25 with injuries to his hands at a nearby business. He was taken to Tweed Heads hospital under police guard for treatment. On discharge he was charged with murder, taken into custody and refused bail.
On February 20th police discovered the bodies of Min Cho (41) and her 7-year-old son at a martial arts studio in North Parramatta. Before this discovery Ms Cho’s husband, Stephen (39), had been found stabbed to death at a unit in Baulkham Hills. Police believe that Ms Cho and her son were strangled to death. Kwong Kyung Yoo (49), the boy's martial arts instructor, attended hospital at 11.50pm on February 19 with minor knife wounds. After investigation he was arrested and placed under police guard and has been charged with 3 counts of murder.
Min Cho North Parramatta
Ashlee Good Bondi Junction
At approximately 3.20pm on the 13th April, at a Bondi Junction shopping centre Joel Cauchi stabbed to death Ashlee (38), and injured her nine-month-old baby. The little girl, Harriet, suffered stab wounds was eventually able to return home. The perpetrator was known to authorities.
Dawn Singleton Bondi Junction
At approximately 3.20pm on the 13th April, police began to receive emergency calls from a Bondi Junction shopping centre. In the ensuing minutes a lone attacker stabbed to death Dawn (25), The perpetrator, Joel Cauchi (40) was known to authorities.
At approximately 3.20pm on the 13th April, police began to receive emergency calls from a Bondi Junction shopping centre. In the ensuing minutes a lone attacker stabbed to death Yixuan Cheng (27), The perpetrator, Joel Cauchi (40) was known to authorities.
Yixuan Cheng Bondi Junction
On June 27, Police were called to a home in Russell Lea just after 11am, following an emergency call from a member of the public. At the home, they found Annette (53) dead from severe knife injuries. Benjamin Art (42), a housemate of the victim, was arrested at the scene and has been charged with murder.
Annette Kiss Russell Lea
On July 08 at about 1:40pm emergency services were called to a property in Kingswood, after receiving a report of a stabbing. On arrival officers found 21-year-old Nunia suffering injuries including two stab wounds to her chest. She was treated by paramedics but died at the scene. Her partner Jeremaia Tuwai (21) ran from the scene, but was later arrested and charged with domestic violence murder.
Nunia Kurualeba Kingswood
On February 4th, at about 7am, Samantha (51) left her Ballarat home for a morning run and did not return. Extensive investigation and widespread searches by police, emergency services and volunteers have not yet located her body or her belongings. On Wednesday March 6th police arrested 22-year-old Patrick Stephenson and have charged him with murder. He is not a family member and his relationship to Ms Murphy, if any, is unknown. Police investigations are ongoing
Samantha Murphy Ballarat
Victoria
Yet Unnamed woman Pokolbin
While conducting a welfare check at a property in Pokolbin on the 28th September, in the NSW Hunter Valley on Friday night, police found a 46-year-old woman with significant injuries. The as-yet unnamed woman was unable to be revived. A 47-year-old man at the property was arrested and has been charged with domestic violence-related murder. He is believed to be the woman’s husband.
April 05: At around 10am emergency services were called to reports of a car on fire in bushland at Scarsdale near Ballarat. On arrival at the scene they found the body of 23-year-old Hannah McGuire inside the car. She had been reported missing by a family member earlier that day. Two men known to Ms McGuire were arrested on Sunday afternoon and were interviewed by police. Ms McGuire's ex-partner, Lachie Young (22), has been charged with murder. In September 2024 he pleaded not guilty.
Hannah McGuire Ballarat
Lolene Whitehand Flemington
July 14: At around 10:30am a passer by found the body of Lolene (85) floating in the Maribyrnong River at Flemington. On Tuesday 16 July homicide detectives arrested Milena Bogojevska (49), who was known to Ms Whitehand, and have charged her with murder. A 15-year-old boy arrested at the same time as Ms Bogojevska was released without charge.
March 08th and emergency services were called to a home in Lower Plenty after reports a woman in her 50s was being assaulted by a younger woman. Despite all efforts Joanne , 53, died at the scene of knife injuries. Her daughter (26) was shot after allegedly challenging police while armed with a knife, and also died at the scene. Homicide Squad detectives will investigate both deaths and the investigation will be oversighted by Professional Standards Command.
Joanne Perry Lower Plenty
Emma Bates Cobram
April 23: At around 2.15pm emergency services were called to a home in Cobram, where they discovered the body of Emma Bates (49) who died after a violent assault. John Torney (39), believed known to Ms Bates, has been arrested and remains in custody assisting with police inquiries. He has been charged with intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, common law assault, aggravated assault of a female and unlawful assault.
March 09: At about midday, after receiving information from family members, police officers found the body of Chaithanya ‘Swetha’ Madhagani inside a green waste bin on an isolated stretch of road at Buckley, Victoria. A second crime scene was established at her home in southwestern Melbourne, about 80 km away. It is believed that Ms Madhagani’s husband Ashok Raj Varikuppala, flew back to India, where he confessed to Ms Madhagani's family and left the couple’s son with them. Police investigations continue
Chaithanya Madhagani Buckley
Annette Brennan Epping
On Wednesday, July 3rd, the body of 67-year-old Annette Brennan was found by staff at a waste management facility in Epping, prompting a wide-ranging investigation. Police believe the victim's body was inside a bin collected from outside her home in the nearby suburb of Coolaroo the previous day. Stephen Fleming (45), believed known to Ms Brennan, was arrested 5 days later and has been charged with murder.
Queensland
Keira Marshall Morayfield
January 28: Emergency services were called to a unit in Morayfield, near Brisbane, at about 12.10am after neighbours reported gunshots. Officers and paramedics arrived to find Keira (29) suffering gunshot injury to the upper body. She died at the scene despite paramedics’ efforts to save her. An unnamed 18-year-old man found at the scene and believed known to the victim has charged with murder.
Amarjit Kaur Sardar Woodhill
February 15: emergency services were called to a property in Woodhill after reports of a fatality. When crews arrived they found that Amarjit (41) had died from her injuries after she was run over by the slasher attachment of a tractor. Police allege her husband Yadwinder Singh (44) initially called triple-0 and reported his wife had "passed away" and that it had been an accident. He was arrested at the scene and has been charged with murder and interfering with a corpse.
Natalie Frahm Mackay
June 19: Emergency services were called to a home in South Mackay just after 4:30pm. On arrival they found Natalie (34) dead in a car from gunshot wounds. Two young girls who were also in the car escaped physically unharmed and raised the alarm. A 66-year-old man who attempted to help Ms Frahm was also shot and received non-life-threatening injuries. Police later arrested Ryan Cole (31), believed to be a neighbour of Ms Frahm, who has been charged with murder and attempted murder.
Kiesha Thompson Daisy Hill
July 19: Just before 9am Kiesha (23), who had just dropped her daughter off at daycare, was struck by an SUV as she walked to her home in Daisy Hill, south of Brisbane. She died later in hospital. Police inquiries indicated that the driver, Larissa Sant (24), had spent some time driving around the area before allegedly mounting a kerb and deliberately hitting Ms Thompson before leaving the scene. She was arrested and charged with murder. Four days later Tyler James (27), Ms Thompson's ex-partner and current partner of Ms Sant, was arrested and charged with murder (domestic violence offence).
Debra Hunter Bungalow
September 24: Yesterday afternoon police were called to a Bungalow, North Queensland, address where they found Debra 67) with major head injuries. Emergency services attempted to resuscitate her, but she died at the scene. Her relative, Jadine Calthorpe (25) has been charged with a domestic violence murder, and will appear in court
Alana Martin Maryborough
January 28: At about 5.30pm 30-year-old Alana was found dead at a unit in Maryborough after Daniel Holm (43), believed to be her partner, attended Maryborough Police Station and confessed to her murder. Police have not revealed how the victim was killed. Holm has been charged with murder (domestic violence) and remanded in custody.
unnamed 66-year-old Fortitude Valley
April 02: Emergency services were called for a welfare check to a unit in Fortitude Valley just after 1pm . They forced their way into the unit where they found the body of an unnamed 66-year-old woman with multiple stab wounds. Her son, Steven Pinker (42), was taken into custody at the scene and charged overnight with her murder.
Carolyn McCarthy Innisfail
June 28: At around 4:15pm police were called to a home in Innisfail for a welfare check. On arrival they found Carolyn (51) with life threatening stab wounds at a neighbouring property, where she had sought safety. Despite all help, she died at the scene. Her partner, partner Floyd Tomarra (51), fled by car onto the Bruce highway. After crashing into a truck he attempted to steal another car from a woman nearby. He has been arrested and charged with murder.
July 30: At 3.37am the body of Frances Crawford (49) was found at the bottom of a rear retaining wall near her home in Lockyer Valley, Queensland. Her husband, Robert Crawford called emergency services. It has been revealed that he had relationships with multiple women all over the world and in Australia, with police now appealing for those women to come forward with information. Initially, Ms Crawford was thought to have died in a lawnmower rollover, though it was difficult to understand why she should be mowing at that time on a freezing cold morning. In October 2024 her husband was charged with murder.
Frances Crawford Lockyer Valley
Vyleen White Redbank Plains
February 03: emergency services were called to the Redbank Plains Shopping Village in response to reports of a serious assault. There they found Vyleen (70) dead after being stabbed in the chest during a violent robbery. Her granddaughter (6) was physically uninjured and was able to call for help from a passing doctor, who gave CPR until the emergency crew arrived. The attackers fled the scene but in an ongoing investigation a 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder and four other teenage males have been charged with related offences.
Loyla Morgan Palm Island
September 03: At about 9am on September 1st emergency services were called to a residence on Palm Island, north of Townsville. Loyla (39) was found unresponsive with a life-threatening head injury. She was flown to Townsville University Hospital but died from her injuries two days later. Her as-yet unnamed ex-partner (36) has been charged with domestic violence murder.
June 02: Police were called to a property in Albany Creek at about 5:30pm. They found an as-yet unnamed woman (77) dead from gunshot wounds, alongside her 46-year-old nephew, also unnamed. Police state that the man was a registered firearms licence holder who had discharged "a number of shots", killing his aunt and himself. The man’s mother (88) was also at the property, but she was not harmed. No names have been released and nothing further is reported as yet.
unnamed woman Albany Creek
Kierra-Lea Jensen Leichhardt
July 15: Emergency services were called to in a home at Leichhardt at 9:15am for a welfare check requested by a family member. On arrival, they found the body of 28-year-old Kierra-Lea , who had suffered multiple stab wounds. Her partner, Kitchel Shillingsworth (36), had left the scene before police arrived but after a short pursuit was taken into custody around 10:15am and has been charged with murder. Police are searching a dam west of Brisbane for a knife.
Western Australia
Unnamed Woman Mascot
February 04: At about 11.20am ambulance services responded to a call about an unresponsive woman in a hotel room in Ascot. When paramedics arrived the 42-year-old woman, who has not yet been named, was found dead. On May 22nd, after extensive inquiries, police charged two men, Qian Liu (28) and an unnamed 24-year-old man, with her murder.
Tara Morrison Busselton
April 12: At around 8pm police were called to a welfare check in Broadwater, near Busselton. On arrival at the scene they found the body of Tara Morrison (38). James Sorgiovanni (26) and Hannah Glover (28), both believed known to the victim, have been charged with murder.
Erica Hay Warnbro
April 26: Emergency services were called to a house fire in Warnbro at about 1am. On entering the home, they found the body of Erica Hay (30) in a bedroom. Ms Hay’s partner Luke Sekkouah (35), who is alleged to have set fire to the house after assaulting Ms Hay, escaped the house with her 3-year-old daughter. The child was treated for smoke inhalation before being taken to hospital for further care. Sekkouah has been charged with one count of murder and one of criminal damage by fire.
Unnamed Woman Kununurra
February 28: At about 9.40pm on September 11th, 2023, police patrol officers came across a 26-year-old woman who had allegedly run away from a violent assault and collapsed unconscious on a street in Kununurra. The unnamed woman was taken to the local hospital before being transferred to Royal Darwin Hospital, where she had emergency surgery for a serious head injury. On February 28th, 2024, she died in hospital as a result of her injuries. Her ex-partner, David Junior Tax (27) was initially charged with aggravated grievous bodily harm and breaching a violence restraining order. The charge has now been upgraded to murder.
Jennifer Petelczyc Floreat
May 24: Emergency services were called to a home in Floreat where they found the home owner, Jennifer (59) and her teenage daughter (recorded above), both suffering gunshot wounds. Ms Petelczyc was declared dead at the scene. Mark Bombara (63) was also found dead from self-inflicted shotgun injuries. It is believed he had been looking for his recently separated ex-wife. Not finding her, he killed two innocent victims.
Gretl Petelczyc Floreat
May 24: Emergency services were called to a home in Floreat where they found the home owner (recorded below) and her teenage daughter, Gretl Petelczyc (18), both suffering gunshot wounds. Gretl was taken to Royal Perth Hospital, but died from her injuries the next day. Mark Bombara (63) was also found dead from self-inflicted shotgun injuries. It is believed he had been looking for his recently separated ex-wife. Not finding her, he killed two innocent victims.
Mauwa Kizenga Balga
March 16: At about 7:55pm emergency services were called to reports of a street assault in Balga. On arrival they found 22-year-old Mauwa Kizenga, who had been stabbed while out walking with a female relative (20) and who had suffered serious injuries. She was taken to hospital but died soon after, despite all efforts of bystanders, as well as paramedical and hospital staff. Clarence Jalloh (30), believed known to one of the young women, was detained on a nearby street after several young witnesses followed and tried to apprehend him. He has been charged with murder.
Joan Drane Yangebup
April 28, Police were called to a home in Yangebup at about 7.15am on April 29th. At the home they found the body of 78-year-old Joan, who is believed to have been killed at some time between Saturday and Monday. Her son, Andre Drane (54), has been taken into police custody and has been charged with murder.
Evette Verney Byford
June 02: Police attended a home in Byford on Sunday night, after they received reports a woman had been seriously injured. On arrival they found the body of Evette (61) outside the house. Her son (33) was seen leaving the house in a silver car which was spotted about 100 kilometres away at about 9:15pm. After using tyre deflation to stop the car, police used a taser to subdue him before he was taken into custody. This afternoon he has been charged with his mother’s murder.
ACT
Bonnie-Lee Anderson Canberra
January 26: Bonnie-Lee (39) died in hospital 16 months after being violently attacked in her own home in Canberra, ACT. In September 2022 her ex-partner, Daryl Robertson (53), stabbed her 11 times with a carving knife and repeatedly burned her with a makeshift blowtorch. Ms Anderson spent the rest of her life in hospital. In December 2023 Robertson pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was sentenced to more than 27 years in jail. In August 2024 he appealed this sentence. The appeal was rejected but no upgrade has yet been made to the charge against him.
June 02: Police were called to a townhouse in Gordon at around 7:30am, after reports of a disturbance. They found the body of Wanda Dorothy Uhle (78) inside, suffering multiple stab wounds. She was declared dead at the scene. Police then located and arrested her 86-year-old husband, Manfred Uhle, who was taken to hospital under police guard for treatment for a possible cardiac episode. Today he was formally charged with murder and will undergo mental health assessment.
Wanda Dorothy Uhle Gordon
Northern Territory
Unnamed woman Coconut Grove
June 01: At around 12.30pm emergency services attended a home in Coconut Grove after reports that a woman had been injured and was unresponsive. The as-yet-unnamed woman (36) was declared dead at the scene. A 43-year-old man, also unnamed and known to the victim, was arrested at the scene and held in custody. He has now been charged with domestic violence murder.
Unnamed woman Katherine
September 30: At about 9.10pm emergency services were called to reports of a disturbance in Katherine. On arrival, an as-yet unnamed 22-year-old woman was found suffering critical injuries. Despite resuscitation efforts she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her 36-year-old partner, who is also unnamed, has been arrested and charged with murder, and with one count of aggravated assault for a separate historic incident against the same woman.
Unnamed woman Katherine
July 22: A 36-year-old Katherine woman, as yet unnamed, died in hospital days after an attack police have described as a "serious act of domestic violence". On July 11, the woman contacted emergency services after she was allegedly assaulted by her former partner in a public place. Police found her suffering from extensive blunt force injuries and she was transferred to Royal Darwin Hospital. The ex-partner (45), who is also unnamed, has been charged with recklessly endangering life and deliberately causing harm.
Unnamed woman Lajamanu
October 14: At about 6.20pm, NT police received a report of a seriously injured 42-year-old woman at Lajamanu. A large crowd gathered when the woman was brought to the local clinic. The as-yet-unnamed woman had suffered stabbing injuries and despite all efforts was declared dead at the scene. The victim’s partner (46), also unnamed, was arrested nearby after allegedly being assaulted by unknown community members. He remains in custody and is expected to be charged with murder.
Tasmania
Alison Robinson Glenorchy
January 05: Police and emergency services were called to a home in Glenorchy, at about 7am, after reports a house was on fire. On January 8th police confirmed that 39-year-old resident Alison Robinson was found dead when the blaze was extinguished. David George Evans, 40, was arrested and has pleaded not guilty to murder and arson. His relationship to Ms Robinson, if any, is unknown. No other information is available as yet.
Unnamed woman Malak
August 21: At around 12:10am, police received reports that a 43-year-old woman had died at a home in Malak, NT. Emergency responders’ resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful and the woman, who has not yet been identified, was declared dead at the scene. Her partner, Desmond Booth (57), was arrested a short time later at a separate location in Malak. He has been charged with murder, and with breaching a domestic violence order.
South Australia
Antoinette Tozer Rosewater
February 03: At about 1:20pm emergency services were called to a home at Rosewater, where a family member had found the bodies of her mother Antoinette Tozer (76) and brother Steve Tozer (55). On arrival they found both had died from significant injuries in an assault which they believe happened in the early hours of the morning. Joe Campbell (43), who had been residing across the road from the house, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder.