Jepsen jailed for life for the murder of Natasha McCarthy
OVERCOME with emotion, Veronica Deller yelled “yes” as her daughter’s killer was sentenced to life in prison.
Mackay
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OVERCOME with emotion, Veronica Deller yelled "yes" as her daughter's killer was sentenced to life in prison.
David John Jepsen, 37, was jailed yesterday for stabbing Natasha Rachel McCarthy multiple times in a frenzied attack under the Ron Camm Bridge.
The murder happened late at night on July 15 last year.
Afterward, Jepsen placed her body in the boot of a car.
Ms McCarthy was alone with Jepsen when he stabbed her 33 times with a knife on July 15 last year. They were in parkland under the bridge.
"The eight to the chest and one to the abdomen were the most catastrophic," crown prosecutor Josh Phillips said. She had a single defensive wound on one of her hands, the court heard.
Ms Deller was too emotional to speak after Jepsen was led away into custody, but grandmother Rachel McCarthy said the family could now try to move on.
"He (Jepsen) got what he deserved. It was (a) just result," Ms McCarthy said.
However, while they welcomed the verdict, Ms McCarthy said it didn't bring Natasha, then 28, back.
"The last 14 months have been terrible. It will still be terrible but not quite as bad," Ms McCarthy said.
Jepsen pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court of Mackay to murder but he couldn't explain his actions.
Natasha's aunt Barbie Stott said it was sad Jepsen could offer no reason for the attack.
The court heard Jepsen and Natasha were only recent acquaintances.
"How can you do that and not have a reason...that makes it worse," Ms Stott said.
It was the first time Natasha's family and friends saw the man who killed her. "It took a bit to stay seated actually," her father Paul Shore said.
He admitted it wasn't easy being in the same room. Neither was hearing the facts.
"I knew she'd been stabbed but not how many times...that was shocking. It was a frenzied attack," Ms McCarthy said.
Mr Shore said: "We've been looking forward...to find out what happened and to see justice done."
Sheree Hardimon just wanted to see the man who ended the life of her best friend.
"Every morning I wake up... and Tash is on my mind. I'm glad he got what he got," she said.
EARLIER:
NATASHA Rachel McCarthy was stabbed 33 times the night she died under the Ron Camm Bridge.
David John Jepsen was jailed for life by Justice Duncan McMeekin in the Supreme Court in Mackay today.
More than a dozen family and friends sat in court on Natasha's behalf to watch her killer be jailed.
The court heard Jepsen could offer no reason for the "vicious" attack, which occurred on July 15 last year in parkland under the bridge.
Natasha was alone with Jepsen when he stabbed her multiple times.
After the attack Natasha's "lifeless body" was bundled in a blanket and placed in a boot of a car by Jepsen, the court heard.
Originally published as Jepsen jailed for life for the murder of Natasha McCarthy
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