Former ministerial driver Michael Hawkes died protecting wife from ice-fuelled attacker Robert Gerard, inquest finds

A retired ministerial driver, stabbed to death inside his isolated Reedy Marsh residence in 2021, died while protecting his wife from a drug-fuelled assailant, a Tasmanian coroner has found.

Robert Gerard. Picture: Tasmania Police

A retired ministerial driver, stabbed to death inside his isolated Reedy Marsh residence in 2021, died while trying to protect his wife from a drug-fuelled assailant on bail for wounding, a Tasmanian coroner has found.

In handing down his findings into the death of Michael John Hawkes following an inquest held in Hobart in June, Coroner Simon Cooper said the 70-year-old victim had been attacked by Robert Harold Gerard, who mistakenly believed Mr and Mrs Hawkes had kidnapped his son.

Gerard, who was apprehended by police a day after the attack before being charged with the murder of Mr Hawkes and the wounding of Judith Hawkes, took his own life while awaiting trial in Risdon Prison on 23 May 2022.

Coroner Cooper found that on the evening of 12 January 2021, Gerard and three associates had purchased ice in the Launceston area before driving to a Reedy Marsh address he had visited several times previously.

The property was located next door to the Hawkes’ home.

“Mr Gerard pulled into the neighbouring property, stopped the vehicle and without any conversation walked to the front door of the residence armed with a club and a large knife and kicked in the front door,” Coroner Cooper said.

“Without warning, and for no apparent reason, Gerard attacked Mr and Mrs Hawkes in their home. He struck Mr Hawkes, who was trying to protect his wife, in the head with the club at least twice rendering him unconscious before chasing Mrs Hawkes from the property.

“Fortunately, she was able to get away having sustained a non-lethal injury to her head.

“After giving up on his pursuit of Mrs Hawkes, Gerard went back into the home to “finish off” Mr Hawkes.

“He later told police that he intentionally stabbed Mr Hawkes in the jugular vein with the large sheath knife he had on his belt, so that he would die quickly.”

“I am in no doubt that Gerard, and Gerard alone, was responsible for Mr Hawkes’ death”

Gerard was then driven to a nearby property to change into camouflage pants and body armour which he had previously left in a shed, before heading into the bush to avoid police.

The next afternoon, after being spotted by a police drone at a house nearly 9km from where he killed Mr Hawkes, Gerard was arrested without incident.

In a subsequent police interview, Gerard made admissions to killing Mr Hawkes and wounding Mrs Hawkes, and said the other occupants of the vehicle were unaware of his intentions.

Coroner Cooper said Gerard’s motive for his lethal attack may have related to an incident in January 2021, in which his friend – who lived next door to the Hawkes – told the couple that he had been assaulted by Gerard.

Mr Hawkes had contacted police, who then took both the friend and Gerard’s son back to the Deloraine area.

Coroner Cooper said it was the last time Gerard had seen his child.

“Thereafter, he appears to have had delusional thoughts that his son had been kidnapped and was being tortured – apparently by Mr and Mrs Hawkes,” he said.

“I note the evidence was that Gerard had a lengthy history of mental illness as well as abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs and a propensity for violence.

“I am in no doubt that Gerard, and Gerard alone, was responsible for Mr Hawkes’ death.”

Coroner Cooper expressed his condolences to Mrs Hawkes for her loss.

Originally published as Former ministerial driver Michael Hawkes died protecting wife from ice-fuelled attacker Robert Gerard, inquest finds