Trial underway for woman accused of killing her mother

The murder trial for a woman accused of smothering her mother is underway in Launceston. LATEST FROM COURT >>

Prosecutors allege a woman murdered her mother by smothering her with a pillow before fleeing Tasmania, with the severely decomposed body not found until weeks later.

The Launceston Supreme Court heard Western Australian Natalie Maher, 48, had been living with her mother Veronica Corstorphine at her home on Keane St in Launceston since moving to the state in August 2019.

Mr Ransom said Ms Maher answered a call to her mother’s phone at approximately 9pm on October 3, 2019 and told Ms Corstorphine’s friend she couldn’t come to the phone because she was asleep.

He said they believed Ms Corstorphine was killed shortly before or after that conversation.

The court heard two flight tickets in Natalie Maher’s name were purchased on the same day and she flew to Perth on October 5.

He said bank statements and internet history showed from 10pm on October 3 a cash advance of $1000 was transferred from Ms Corstorphine’s bank account to Ms Maher followed by another transfer of $5000, with two transfers of $3500 and $3860 the following day, emptying the account.

Mr Ransom said it was circumstantial evidence case and evidence presented would show it was not reasonable it was suicide, natural causes or blunt force injuries from a robbery gone wrong that caused her death.

“The only reasonable hypothesis is the accused murdered her mother by smothering her.”

The court was told Ms Corstorphine was reported missing to police on October 29, 2019 by her long term friend Justin Harding who had become concerned when she didn’t respond to calls and text messages.

Mr Ransom said body worn footage of police officers who entered the house that day was “confronting” and showed the “severely decomposed body” of Ms Corstorphine.

He said the footage showed Ms Corstorphine was found under a doona with a pillow on her head.

Mr Ransom said the jury would hear evidence that Ms Maher’s DNA was found on the edge of the pillow, consistent with her holding it over her mother’s face.

Ms Maher was arrested in a hotel in the Western Australian city of Bunbury in November 2019.

Defence counsel Evan Hughes said Ms Maher completely denied responsibility for the death of her mother.

“The last time she saw her mother she was very much alive,” he said.

Mr Hughes said the level decomposition had put significant limitations on the conclusions drawn by autopsy.

He said Ms Corstorphine may have taken her own life or may have had a medical condition or someone else, an intruder, may have come into her home and killed her.

The trial continues on Thursday.

Originally published as Trial underway for woman accused of killing her mother