Daughter of man charged with Valentine’s Day murder wins right to be in charge of dead mum’s will and estate

The estate of a woman killed in a hotel room allegedly by her estranged husband on Valentine’s Day on the Sunshine Coast has wound up in the Supreme Court. Here’s why.

The daughter of a woman allegedly slain by her estranged husband on Valentine’s Day has moved to take control of her late mum’s estate.

Jeffrey James Godfrey, 50, is charged with the murder of Vanessa Godfrey, who he was legally married to and was the mother of his two adult children.

The 46-year-old woman’s body was found inside a Pelican Waters Resort room by a staff member during a welfare check after the pair had failed to check out of their room about 3.35pm on February 14, 2022.

Police will allege Ms Godfrey’s bloodied body was found on the bed and Mr Godfrey was found unconscious in the room.

In a legal development separate to the criminal court proceedings, the couple’s daughter, Olivia Godfrey, has been appointed as interim administrator of her mother’s estate.

Ms Godfrey applied to the Supreme Court in March, 2022 for the urgent change to her mother’s will in which Mr Godfrey was named as the sole benefactor and beneficiary of her estate.

The court application was unopposed by Mr Godfrey.

According to documents filed with the court, the couple had sold their family home in Parrearra in December, 2021.

A trust had been established to hold the proceeds of the sale of $152,304.91.

The sale of the property was to be split evenly between the pair, equalling $76,152.45 each.

“I wish to protect those funds for the persons who will ultimately be entitled to benefit under will,” Ms Godfrey stated in her application to the court.

Vanessa Godfrey and her estranged husband Jeffrey on their wedding day.

Ms Godfrey’s solicitor, David Neuendorf, stated in his application to the court his client wanted to “safeguard” her mother’s interests and protect any further assets which may be discovered, including superannuation and bank account holdings.

In a statement by Kruger Law, their client, Mr Godfrey, supported the order allowing his daughter to become interim administrator.

“We do not believe the respondent is able to consent to the proposed order as it requires the exercise of discretion,” the document read.

“We do, however confirm the respondent supports the making of the order.”

The criminal case against Mr Godfrey – who remains in custody in Arthur Gorrie Correctional centre – was suspended while his legal team awaits the report from the chief psychiatrist’s office.

Mr Godfrey underwent a mental health assessment earlier this year at The Park mental health facility.

The criminal proceedings against Mr Godfrey will next be mentioned in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on November 4, 2022.