Why Coroner Jane Bentley could not recommend charges over Kirra McLoughlin’s death

Questions put to the Coroner’s Court last month went mostly unanswered, and renewed calls for Coroner Bentley herself to detail why she did not recommend charging McDonald over Kirra’s death prompted the court to explain why she could not.

Kirra McLoughlin was determined by a coroner to have been killed by her defacto partner Paul McDonald. Picture Facebook

The Coroner’s Court of Queensland says Deputy State Coroner Jane Bentley could not recommend charges over the suspicious July 2014 death of Gympie region mum Kirra McLoughlin, despite finding her de facto partner Paul McDonald caused her death.

Nobody has ever been charged over the 27-year-old’s alleged killing, but Coroner Bentley in June found Ms McLoughlin “died from injuries inflicted on her” by McDonald.

Coroner Bentley found McDonald beat and choked Kirra on the night of the alleged incident which caused her death, then waited hours to call an ambulance.

The coroner found that McDonald, currently serving a prison term for a violent attack on another woman, “has a propensity to inflict severe and serious domestic abuse, including coercive control of his partners”.

Kirra McLoughlin was determined by a coroner to have been killed by her defacto partner Paul McDonald Picture Facebook

“He becomes particularly violent when jealous or concerned that his partner may leave him.”

She said she was “satisfied” McDonald struck Kirra “numerous times” after returning to the house on the night she died, and it was “highly probable” that he choked her.

A post mortem examination of Kirra’s body would find 102 areas of bruising – 10 bruises on her head and neck, 24 on her trunk, 16 on her left arm, 18 on her right, 28 on her left leg and 17 on her right.

Questions put to the Coroner’s Court last month went mostly unanswered, and renewed calls for Coroner Bentley herself to detail why she did not recommend charging McDonald over Kirra’s death prompted the court to explain why she could not.

Paul McDonald, who a coroner determined killed his de facto partner Kirra-Lea McLoughlin Picture Supplied

“The inquest into the death of Kirra McLoughlin was conducted in open court and the findings published. It would not be appropriate for the court or Deputy State Coroner Bentley to comment further,” a spokesperson for the Coroner’s Court said this week.

“At the end of an inquest, the coroner may comment on or make recommendations on anything connected with a death that relates to public health or safety, the administration of justice or ways to prevent deaths from happening in similar circumstances in the future.

“Under the Coroners Act 2003, the coroner must not include in their findings or comments any statement that a person is, or may be, guilty of an offence or civilly liable for something.”

No one has been charged over Kirra’s alleged killing and there is no suggestion of guilt on McDonald’s part.

Paul McDonald, who a coroner determined killed his de facto partner Kirra-Lea McLoughlin Picture Supplied

Last week it was revealed homicide detectives were reviewing the alleged killing in the wake of Coroner Bentley’s findings.

High profile criminal lawyer Peter Boyce, assisting Kirra’s mother Alison Russell, said they had met with senior police last Monday (August 9) to discuss a way forward.

“We’re pleased with the fact that the Commissioner has appointed the homicide squad to look into this,” Mr Boyce told The Courier-Mail.

“We’ve had the opportunity to meet with Assistant Commissioner Guteridge, Superintendent Rob Weir and others. It’s a good start and we hope that they’ll be thorough in their investigation and review.”

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A special update episode of Australian Story exploring the circumstances of Kirra’s death will air on the ABC on Monday night (August 16).