Special Australian Story episode to air on Gympie mum Kirra McLoughlin’s death
The episode will go to air in the wake of Deputy State Coroner Jane Bentley’s determination in June that Kirra’s de facto partner Paul McDonald caused the injuries that killed her – finding he beat and choked her and then waited hours to call an ambulance.
Gympie
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gympie. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A special update episode of Australian Story exploring the suspicious July 2014 death of young Gympie region mother Kirra McLoughlin will air on the ABC next week.
Beenham Valley Road writer and producer Mayeta Clark confirmed the special episode would be coming to Australian TV screens next Monday night (August 16) in the wake of Deputy State Coroner Jane Bentley’s determination in June that Kirra’s de facto partner Paul McDonald caused the injuries that killed her – finding he beat and choked her and then waited hours to call an ambulance.
It was announced this week that homicide detectives were reviewing the alleged killing of Kirra, who died after suffering more than 100 injuries all over her body.
Coroner Bentley’s findings went into shocking detail of McDonald’s 70-plus domestic violence convictions, including that he’d choked, bashed and threatened multiple women, telling one of his victims he’d “got away with murder” and “I’ll kill you if you ever say anything to anybody”.
The Queensland Coroner’s Court last month refused to answer questions about why Coroner Bentley did not recommend McDonald be charged in connection with Kirra’s death.
Like their podcast namesake created by two former Gympie police officers, the Beenham Valley Road episodes of Australian Story were wildly successful when they aired last September.
Regional news at the heart of our best journalism
Part 1 has since racked up almost 500,000 views on YouTube.
High profile criminal lawyer Peter Boyce, acting on behalf of Ms McLoughlin’s grieving mother Alison Russell, said they met with senior police on Monday to discuss a way forward with the case.
‘Could have bought a unit’: $311,000 highway party price tag slammed
The Transport Minister has confirmed that a five-hour community open day to celebrate the near completion of the $1B Bruce Highway bypass of Gympie cost more than $311,000, or the equivalent of about $60,000 an hour.
Man critical after being airlifted from Bruce Highway crash scene
A man has been airlifted to hospital with critical injuries after a shocking crash which cut the Bruce Highway south of Maryborough.