‘Rattling’: Daughter reveals chilling moment she realised mum killed by man in horrific crash while on phone

The daughter of a nurse, killed in a horrific crash after a man’s “deliberate” suicide attempt, has revealed the heartbreaking last call she shared with her mum.

The daughter of a beloved nurse “deliberately” killed by a man in a horrific crash near Brisbane has revealed the moment she heard the fatal collision while on the phone to her mother.

Kasey Wolff teared up on the stand as she recalled the last conversation she had with her mum, Michelle Wolff, when Jacob Paul Johnston veered into her car on the D’Aguilar Highway at Harlin during a suicide attempt in December 2021.

At one moment she told her mum that she was looking forward to her getting home safe.

That was shattered when Kasey said heard “a lot of rattling” – later realising it was her mother’s phone being flung around the car in the crash.

“My mum’s life was stolen, she doesn’t get to watch her kids grow and start their careers,” Kasey said.

Queensland nurse Michelle Wolff was killed in a horrific car crash in December 2021, with Jacob Paul Johnston pleading guilty to her manslaughter. Picture: Supplied

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - APRIL 24, 2024.Delphine Daniels, the mother of Michelle Wolff, is photographed with a framed photo of Michelle after leaving the Supreme Court in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Ms Wolff’s family wept in the gallery as Johnston, 23, pleaded guilty to one count each of manslaughter and attempting to pervert justice.

They included her 92-year-old mother, Delphine Daniels, and Ms Wolff’s three daughters Kasey, Jacinda and Sophie and her son Kobi.

The court was told Johnston and his then-girlfriend were experiencing problems in their relationship before the crash.

Crown prosecutor Michael Lehane said the pair had discussed plans over text on how to end their lives, including a chilling plan to load gas bottles into a car and crash it, causing an explosion. The then-girlfriend is not accused of any wrongdoing.

In the texts, Johnston had explained they shouldn’t feel guilty about how it would impact the safety of others because “life is not fair”, Mr Lehane said.

On December 1, the woman confirmed to Johnston they had broken up.

He responded by driving his car towards Brisbane, eventually approaching Ms Wolff on the highway as she drove in the opposite direction on her way home from work.

The family of Michelle Wolff, including her husband Gavin (centre), son Kobi (left), daughters Jacinda Collins (centre-left) and Kasey (centre-right) leave the Supreme Court after Johnston was sentenced to 11 years’ jail. Picture: NCA NewsWire

The family said no sentence would bring Michelle back, as her children read out heartbreaking victim impact statements. Picture: Supplied

The court was told Johnston “deliberately” drove across the centre line, colliding with Ms Wolff’s car.

Her daughter, who was on the phone to her mum at the time, heard the crash over the hands-free Bluetooth.

Ms Wolff died her injuries.

Johnston was also taken to hospital with serious injuries but told police he “couldn’t remember” the crash, later expressing surprise when asked if it was a suicide attempt.

Mr Lehane said police eventually uncovered the messages between Johnston and his ex on his phone.

He said the texts discussing the gas bottles in the car was a “joke” and in reference to a cartoon.

The court was told Johnston had been playing the song Stan by rapper Eminem – part of the lyrics referring to a suicide attempt while driving.

Ms Wolff’s family embraced and shared a brief message with the media before leaving. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Reading from her victim impact statement, Kasey said Johnston’s decision robbed her of her mother and “best friend, one of the best human beings who ever existed”.

She revealed her mother had planned to attend her university graduation the same week she was killed.

“My absolute nightmare was anything bad happening to her, and it came true,” Kasey said.

“You took the one person I love the most.”

She spoke of her horror realising there was “rattling” while she was on the phone to her mother, along with the frantic efforts to call her back.

“We have to drive past (the crash site) every time we go home,” Kasey said.

With time already served, Johnston will be eligible for parole in 2030. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Johnston’s attempts to pervert the course of justice related to his contact with his ex-girlfriend while in custody on remand, urging her to retract her statement to police and help him with his bail application.

Johnston’s defence barrister said his client had a prejudicial upbringing, tendering a letter of apology he had written to the court.

The court was told Johnston had no immediate family supporting him in Australia, which made his time in custody harder.

He would also be deported to New Zealand upon his sentence being completed.

Supreme Court Justice Peter Freeburn ultimately handed down a 10-year sentence for the manslaughter and a cumulative one-year jail term for the attempt to pervert justice charge.

With time served, Johnston will be eligible for parole in September 2030.

Originally published as ‘Rattling’: Daughter reveals chilling moment she realised mum killed by man in horrific crash while on phone