Cooloola Cove stabbing: Angela Gauld named as victim in alleged attack

New details have emerged in the alleged stabbing death of a woman at her home in coastal Queensland as police continue to investigate the circumstances around the shocking incident. VIDEO, LATEST

A woman killed in an alleged stabbing had previously won costs from police in an unrelated incident after a court found they failed to properly consider potential domestic violence when she was in a car accident in 2024.

Cooloola Cove’s Angela Gauld, 58, died following an alleged stabbing at her home in the township between Rainbow Beach and Tin Can Bay on Sunday night.

Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield said the incident was being treated as “suspicious” but “we’re not ruling out other aspects”.

Ms Gauld, who used the surname Pryor on social media, died at her Creekside Esplanade property in a residential estate less than 100m from the town’s shopping centre and a local park.

Police and paramedics were called to the home about 7.15pm following reports she had been stabbed.

Cooloola Cove’s Angela Gauld has been revealed as the woman killed in an alleged stabbing at her home in the small coastal township between Rainbow Beach and Tin Can Bay.

Inspector Mansfield said Ms Gauld was believed to have died from one stab wound made with a knife, which was found at the scene.

She was pronounced dead at the scene and the knife was found nearby.

Inspector Mansfield said officers were still trying to establish the circumstances around the death, including the possibility of whether it may have been self-harm related.

“That’s exactly what we’re trying to establish,” Inspector Mansfield said.

“The post-mortem (on Tuesday morning) will hopefully make that clearer for us.”

A man was said by police to be helping their inquiries on Monday morning but was released without charge.

Inspector Mansfield said the man was the one to call emergency services and had been at the home when first responders arrived.

Ms Gauld and the man were not in a de facto relationship and police were still establishing what their personal connection was, Inspector Mansfield said.

“They don’t live together at that address,” he said.

Neighbours said Ms Gauld, from New Zealand, was a Jehovah’s Witness and lived at the home she bought in 2021 with her two boxer dogs.

Neighbours said Angela Gauld, from New Zealand, was a Jehovah’s Witness and lived at the home she bought in Cooloola Cove in 2021 with her two boxer dogs.

They said police had been called to the home several times since Ms Gauld moved in, and reported hearing screaming in the lead-up to her death.

Inspector Mansfield said the call-outs were not related to any criminality but were for other “health-related“ matters.

In March, Ms Gauld won costs of $1850 from Queensland police after she was forced to defend herself in Gympie Magistrates Court against two driving charges following a crash.

Those charges were dismissed after police offered no evidence, Magistrate Bevan Hughes’ published decision said.

Mr Hughes found the two police officers failed to “meet the moment” in their conduct by “not properly regarding Ms Gauld’s legitimate interests as a potential victim of domestic violence”.

Police said after Mr Hughes handed down his ruling they would conduct an internal review of the matter.

Inspector Mansfield said he was “aware” of Ms Gauld’s previous court action against police, which was subject to an internal review following the court’s decision.

“Our internal investigation with respect to that has indicated … (a) domestic violence incident was investigated.”

A forensic police officer examines the scene of the Cooloola Cove home where a woman was stabbed. Photo: Scott Kovacevic

There is no suggestion the man questioned by police was involved in this previous matter.

On Monday, Jun 16, forensic police were set up outside the home, located on a battle axe block at the end of a laneway running off the Esplanade.

Officers could be seen inspecting the area out the front of the home, including a ute parked in front of a gate leading to the front door between the home and the garage.

The gate was still open, as was part of the garage door which was jammed at an odd angle.

Inspector Mansfield said there was no indication this was connected to the circumstances surrounding Ms Gauld’s death.

Neighbours only a few houses away said they were shocked by the news Monday morning, as they did not hear emergency services arriving at the home overnight.

Police at the scene of the stabbing in Cooloola Cove, near Gympie. Photo: Scott Kovacevic

A crime scene was declared and investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding Ms Gauld’s death.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.