Alexandra Hills woman charged with murder over alleged acts to speed up dying man’s death

A woman has been charged with murdering her dying partner, using prescription drugs to accelerate his death.

A woman has been charged with murder more than a year after a man was killed, with police alleging she administered lethal levels of prescription medication to accelerate his death.

Detectives from Wynnum Criminal Investigations Branch and Crime and Intelligence Command, Homicide Investigation unit arrested Kylie Ellina Truswell-Mobbs, 50, at an Alexandra Hills home on Wednesday.

Detective Acting Inspector Rod Watts said the investigation into the death of the man, identified as David Ronald Mobbs, was complex with investigators looking into his health, care and treatment.

Kylie Ellina Truswell-Mobbs, 50, has been charged with the murder of David Ronald Mobbs, who was in his last stages of life with motor neurone disease. Picture: Supplied

Police were called after the suspicious death of a 56-year-old man shortly before 10pm on December 7, 2023. Operation Victor Verdoy was launched to investigate the cause.

Police allege Mr Mobbs, who had motor neurone disease, was in his last stages of life and Truswell-Mobbs took unlawful actions administering lethal levels of prescription medication to accelerate his death.

Kylie Ellina Truswell-Mobbs, 50, has been charged with murder more than a year after a man was killed, with police alleging she administered lethal levels of prescription medication to accelerate his death. Picture: QPS

It’s understood Mr Mobbs’ MND was aggressive and had quickly left him dependent on carers for the most basic tasks.

He had been taken to hospital barely able to breathe due to respiratory issues shortly before his death but was taken home where he was cared for by an agency and his partner.

Police will allege that in December Trusswell-Mobbs asked his palliative care team about Queensland’s Voluntary Assisted Dying scheme, which was then less than a year old.

It’s alleged Mr Mobbs indicated he wanted more time before making a decision on assisted dying.

Police will allege that Mr Mobbs was administered prescription drugs through is feeding tube.

A carer later contacted police.

Det Insp Watts told media on Thursdauy police were alerted to the situation by both the family and the care agency.

“We will allege that the man was in his last stages of life, however a 50-year-old Alexandra Hills woman took unlawful actions in administering lethal levels of prescription medication to accelerate his death,” he said.

“It will be alleged the man and woman were known to each other and were in a relationship.”

Det Insp Watts said police were not alleging there was any domestic violence.

David Ronald Mobbs, who was in his last stages of life with motor neurone disease, pictured with his step sons. Picture: Supplied

“Our evidence and our investigations lead us to believe it is the offence of murder and not assisting suicide,” he said.

“The man was suffering from motor neurone disease and he was in and out of hospital in the weeks and months leading up to this time.

“The acceleration of death, I can say was limited to hours after he was administered that prescription medication. Within hours he was deceased.”

Outside court Truswell-Mobbs’ sons said they loved the couple both very much.

Insp Watts said Truswell-Mobbs allegedly administered the pain medication he was already receiving, but that she gave him “lethal levels”.

Insp Watts told media on Thursday the pair were in a relationship for a number of years and lived together, however were not married.

Det Insp Watts said there had been “preliminary discussions” with Mr Mobbs around assisted dying.

“But none of that had been formalised,” he said.

Detective Acting Inspector Rod Watts. Picture: David Clark

“As you can appreciate, there is a process you need to go through with assistance dying. And in this situation none of those processes were followed.”

Insp Watts said Truswell-Mobbs was a carer for Mr Mobbs. But he said there was also a care agency involved.

Insp Watts said police had investigated if Mr Mobbs had wanted to die.

“That has been part of our investigation for the last 16 months, which has obviously led us to yesterday charging this woman,” he said.

“We believe that her actions have amounted to murder.

“We will allege a motive but I’m not prepared to go into it at this moment.”

Insp Watts said the investigation was lengthy because it also involved extensive forensic testing and toxicology.

Truswell-Mobbs’ lawyer Andrew Hanlon leaving court.

He said Truswell-Mobbs had been cooperative when speaking with police.

Insp Watts said police were not investigating any alleged financial gain from Mr Mobbs’ death.

“As you can imagine it’s a quite traumatic experience for the family to have gone through. It’s very emotional, it’s a very sad story unfortunately,” he said.

Kylie’s son Jayden said his stepfather, who he referred to as his own dad, was a great man having raised him since a young age.

“He was a good man that decided to take on a single mother with two kids,” he said.

“He was just a good dad and the best friend that put us before himself.”

David was a training officer for Queensland Fire and Emergency Rescue Services and Kylie was a nail technician and hairdresser.

“He did everything for mum, myself and my brother,” he said.

“We looked up to him. He took us to all our sporting events and did everything he could.

Truswell-Mobbs was charged with one count of murder and had her case mentioned briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.

She did not appear in court and bail cannot be applied for on a charge of murder.

Her solicitor Andrew Hanlon, of Potts Lawyers, asked the matter be adjourned.

She was remanded in custody and the matter adjourned to April 28 by Magistrate Rosemary Gilbert.