Homicide detectives launch review into alleged killing of Queensland mother-of-four Kirra-Lea McLoughlin
A new investigation has been launched into the alleged killing of Queensland mother-of-four Kirra-Lea McLoughlin after a coroner found her partner – and serial domestic violence offender – caused her death.
Police & Courts
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Homicide detectives are reviewing the alleged killing of Kirra-Lea McLoughlin after a coroner found her partner – and serial domestic violence offender – caused her death.
The Courier-Mail can reveal a renewed investigation is underway into the death of the mother-of-four, who died in 2014 suffering more than 100 injuries all over her body.
Nobody has ever been charged over the alleged killing but Deputy State Coroner Jane Bentley in June found Ms McLoughlin “died from injuries inflicted on her by Paul McDonald”.
Her findings comprised shocking detail of McDonald’s 70-plus convictions for domestic violence, including that he’d choked, bashed and threatened multiple women, telling one of his victims he’d “got away with murder” and that “I’ll kill you if you ever say anything to anybody”.
High profile criminal lawyer Peter Boyce, who is assisting Ms McLoughlin’s mother Alison Russell, said they met with senior police on Monday to discuss a way forward.
“She’s lost her only daughter, her only child,” Mr Boyce said.
“She’s been amazing to deal with, the way she has certainly focused on making sure no stone is left unturned.”
Ms McLoughlin died from a brain injury – with the coroner finding it was “highly probable” she was choked – and had 102 bruises all over her body.
Coroner Bentley found that McDonald killed her, most likely by beating and choking her and then waiting hours to call an ambulance.
“I find that Mr McDonald has a propensity to inflict severe physical violence on his partners and is a habitual perpetrator of severe and serious domestic abuse including coercive control of his partners,” Ms Bentley found.
“He becomes particularly violent when jealous or concerned that his partner may leave him.
“It is likely that he struck her with a broomstick. It is highly probable that he choked her.”
Mr Boyce and Ms Russell met with police to discuss a review of the case and the initial police response.
Those at the meeting included Assistant Commissioner Kev Guteridge and a senior homicide investigator.
“We’re pleased with the fact that the Commissioner has appointed the homicide squad to look into this,” Mr Boyce said.
“We’ve had the opportunity to meet with Assistant Commissioner Guteridge, Superintendent Rob Weir and others. It‘s a good start and we hope that they’ll be thorough in their investigation and review.”
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