Details of teen’s alleged killer revealed

The man charged with the alleged murder of Krystle Monks at Bundamba last week delivered meals to the homeless during high school before dropping out, it can be revealed.

The man charged with the alleged murder of Krystle Monks at Bundamba last week, delivered meals to the homeless during high school before dropping out in Grade 10, it can be revealed.

Michael Kurt Pringle, 21, was arrested at a Redlands address and charged on Friday after a five-day investigation into the 19-year-old’s death.

Police were initially told by Pringle that Ms Monks had fallen off a bed and suffered head injuries.

An autopsy has been conducted and Pringle was charged with murder (domestic violence offence), possessing dangerous drugs and possessing used drug utensils.

The Courier-Mail has been told that Pringle attended Rosewood State High School (RSHS) between 2014 and 2016 before dropping out in Grade 10.

Michael Kurt Pringle (right) has been charged with murder after the death of his girlfriend Krystle Monks (left).

He then attended YMCA Vocational School at Ipswich, but dropped out a short time later.

A fellow student said her and Pringle had delivered meals to the homeless during a school-based Meals on Wheels program at RSHS.

“I felt sick to my stomach when I realised (Pringle) had been charged and that I knew him personally,” she said.

Michael Kurt Pringle.

Pictures: Supplied

A former partner of Pringle said he worked at Hungry Jack’s during high school and in recent times for a steel company.

Asked whether Pringle was involved in any extra-curricular activities, she said “he never really played sports but rode scooters when he was younger”.

Photos obtained by The Courier-Mail also indicate that Pringle was a keen fisherman.

Pringle, a father to a one-year-old, had been dating Ms Monks for a number of months.

Southern Region Crime Coordinator Detective Superintendent Larissa Miller said Pringle’s arrest was “truly a team effort” by police.

“Our investigators, specialists and forensic officers have worked extremely hard over the past week to bring about this resolution,” she said.

“The aspect of violence in a domestic setting will be the focus of the investigation.”

But Det Supt Miller would not disclose what police were alleging happened to Ms Monks, what injuries she suffered or how they were inflicted.

It has previously been reported that she suffered serious head injuries.

Supt Miller would not comment on Pringle’s arrest or how police tracked him down, but said he had been cooperating with police.

Ms Monks’ family is said to be “extremely distressed” by her death, while grieving friends shared the social media hashtag ‘forever 19’ in growing numbers online.

It is understood Ms Monks had been working as a barista at the Coffee Club at Ipswich.

She would have turned 20 in two weeks but friends described her as “forever young”.