Best friend of Lizard Man, Bronson Ellery, tells court of final hours

CHILLING details of killer Bronson “Lizard Man” Ellery’s final moments after he murdered his ex-partner on the Gold Coast have been revealed during his best mate’s sentencing hearing.

CHILLING details of killer Bronson “Lizard Man” Ellery’s final moments after he murdered his ex-partner on the Gold Coast have been revealed during his best mate’s sentencing hearing.

Shelsea Schilling and Bronson ‘Lizard Man’ Ellery

The Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday heard that Michael Ryan Warburton had arrived at Ellery’s Southport apartment to find the Lizard Man’s ex-partner, Shelsea Schilling, lying in a pool of blood on the night of the murder-suicide in 2016.

Warburton was yesterday sentenced to two years in jail, wholly suspended, after pleading guilty to giving his brother’s name when arrested by police and possessing drugs.

Michael Warburton at Brisbane’s Supreme Court. Picture: Annette Dew

Defence barrister James McNab told the court Warburton had given the fake name weeks after his close friend killed his ex-girlfriend Shelsea Schilling and took his own life.

The court heard Ellery had asked Warburton to visit. When he arrived, he saw Ms Schilling in a pool of blood.

For an hour Warburton held his best mate who then said, “I promised her I would go with her” and committed suicide in front of him, the court was told.

“Mr Ellery was inconsolable,” Mr McNab said.

“There was nothing whatsoever Mr Warburton could have done. This has haunted him.”

Originally published as Best friend of Lizard Man, Bronson Ellery, tells court of final hours