Dam couple identified: Final years of life revealed

A woman found dead and chained to a man in a Queensland dam has been identified as his wife of 25 years. It comes as further details of the couple’s life come to light, and as police reveal some findings from autopsies on their bodies.

A woman found dead and chained to a man in a Queensland dam has been identified as his wife of 25 years, Kirsty Smith.

Ms Smith was found tethered to her husband Darryl Smith, 51, on Saturday after a kayaker made the gruesome discovery of the two badly decomposed bodies in Gordonbrook Dam, north of Kingaroy.

Darryl and Kirsty Smith

Police on Thursday said autopsy results had confirmed that the deaths of Mr and Mrs Smith were not suspicious.

“Post mortem results and extensive investigations indicate no other persons were involved in the deaths,” police said in a statement.

“Investigations are continuing and police will prepare a report for the Coroner.”

An unfortunate picture of the couple’s last years has emerged in which the pair at times were homeless, estranged from family members and involved in a bizarre church incident in which Mr Smith pierced his wife’s hand with a skewer to show others she felt no pain.

People within the community have also told The Courier-Mail Mr Smith would regularly answer for Ms Smith when she was in conversation.

Police have said they are not looking for any other people in relation to their deaths and investigations had shown their deaths were non-suspicious.

Investigators have also said something was used to weigh them down in the water.

The couple’s white Commodore wagon was parked at the dam since March 13 and there was a blow-up mattress found nearby with investigators saying it suggested they may have been sleeping out of their car.

Detectives are seeking public help from anyone who saw their white 2004 Holden Commodore station wagon parked in the picnic area of Gordonbrook Dam. Photo/QPS

The Courier-Mail understands Ms Smith hadn’t spoken to her family in more than a decade, which contributed to the couple not being reported missing or being found for some time.

The Smiths, who were also known as Matthew and Sarah Goldman, ran a shop in Kingaroy called Goldman’s Oracle’s ‘n’ Gifts and had also lived at the back of the premises.

In mid-February the shop started offering items for free.

“2 free crystals for every person no need to purchase anything. Love, Light & Peace,” a post said.

Darryl and Kirsty Smith known as Matthew and Sarah Goldman

In a picture posted on their Facebook page a computer with a TOR browser window – giving greater privacy but also access to the notorious dark net – can be seen.

Another person this week claimed the couple had told her of their plans to order pills in the mail and had also spoken of a suicide pact.

The pair both attended high school in Brisbane and were married before moving to Kingaroy, according to former friends.

It’s understood Mr Smith ran a mowing business and at one point they moved away before returning again to the Kingaroy area.

The pair began attending the Nanango branch of the Church of United Spiritualism but it’s understood they left some time ago. The church refused to comment this week when contacted.

When they went to the church they were known as Matthew and Sarah Goldman, described as “happy people always smiling and helping others”.

However a member this week told of an incident in which Mr Smith harmed his wife.

“I watched him put a steel skewers through the middle (of) Sarah’s hand, I mean right through and she didn’t feel it go through and a few other things too,” the churchgoer said.

“Well there only us four (Sarah, Matthew, myself and the reverend) no one else, rev said nothing she nearly passed out.

“Me … I was just stunned with amazement of what the brain could do.

“From what I understand they started (at the church) not long before I did and left because of that church.”

Darryl Smith on March 10 in the Wondai area

The churchgoer also said he had got his partner to “walk around for days” on a broken foot and “she said she felt no pain”.

Some people that have spoken to The Courier-Mail have said Mr Smith had a “Jesus complex” however the churchgoer said they did not get this impression and that he was just trying to be kind.

“They just wanted people to love them for them,” they said, adding they had a “very close relationship”.

A former friend of the couple said “Darryl was very controlling” and described him as “a bit weird”.

“They were involved in the church many, many, years ago,” a former friend said.

“She didn’t really speak unless he answered for her, once they got married.

“If you said ‘hey Kirsty, what did you do at the weekend’ and she would look to him and he would answer and then she would relay it.

“It was unsettling for me that he would answer for her, she sort of just sat there and said nothing.

“They were heavily involved in church back then (10 years ago) and my description of him would have been that he thought he was Jesus Christ.”

Police this week appealed for anyone who had seen Mr Smith’s car at the dam prior to March 13 to contact police.

They also released an image of him on March 10 in the Wondai area where he was seen at the post office.

Detectives have said post mortem results and extensive investigations indicate no one else was involved in the deaths.

They will prepare a report for the coroner.

Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 (quote reference number QP2200473750)

If you or someone you know need help, call Lifeline on 131 114