Alleged killer Ryan Cole shot Mackay mum Natalie Frahm on his birthday

New details about the 31-year-old man charged with the murder of a mum and attempted murder of a man who came to her child’s aid can be revealed.

Ryan Cole, 31 was arrested at the BP Service Station in Paget after an hours-long police operation and lockdown. Picture: Michaela Harlow

A man charged with murdering a mother in front of young children in Mackay may remain in custody till at least September.

Ryan Geoffrey Cole, 31, appeared in Mackay’s magistrate court with dark circles under his eyes, represented by Steven Hayles of Macrossan and Amiet Solicitors.

He is accused of murdering Natalie Frahm, 34, in the driver’s seat of her car as she was leaving her home with two young girls in the back on Robb Pl, South Mackay on June 19.

It was Cole’s birthday.

Natalie Frahm was killed on June 19, 2024, with the alleged shooter, Ryan Cole, 31, charged with murder. Picture: Supplied

He is also accused of the attempted murder of James ‘Jimmy’ McGill, 66, who came to the aid of the young girls before he was shot in the chest.

Cole is alleged to have fled Robb Pl in a silver Mitsubishi Triton, resulting in police making an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act.

The car was tracked to a BP service station on the corner of the Bruce Highway and Statham Drive at Paget at 7.45pm where Cole was taken into custody.

Cole is not able to apply for bail in the magistrates court for the charge of murder — only the supreme court may grant him bail.

Magistrate Damien Dwyer ordered a brief of evidence to be prepared.

Cole’s case will return to court on September 11, but his appearance has been excused.

It’s understood that the Robb Pl home in South Mackay that Cole had been living in was owned by his mother Christine.

It is unclear whether Christine still lived at the property.

Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski. Picture: David Clark

Mackay Detective Acting Superintendent Emma Novosel said Cole was a labourer, but did not know whether he was currently employed.

Commissioner Steve Gollschewski told media on Thursday that police were looking into Cole’s access to weapons.

Mr Gollschewski said Cole had lost his weapons licence in 2021 and 11 weapons were taken from him at the time.

He said police would investigate how Cole allegedly accessed firearms.

He said that Cole was known to police but there were no particular warnings, and no history of mental illness that police were aware of.