Ryan Geoffrey Cole murder charge for allegedly shooting Natalie Frahm in Mackay ‘suspended’

One year after a Qld mum was shot dead in her driveway on the way to a kids’ sporting event, there’s a huge update in the case against her alleged killer.

Police are on scene at Robb Place in South Mackay following reports of a multiple shooting incident. Picture: Paul Brescia

Charges against a man accused of shooting a Mackay mum as she was parked in her driveway have been “suspended”.

The case against Ryan Geoffrey Cole has been listed for an almost six-month adjournment and it could be up to two years before it is known how the matter will be finalised, a court heard.

He has been in custody since his arrest after a three-hour manhunt in Mackay for allegedly shooting 34-year-old Natalie Frahm in the head and chest on June 19, 2024.

Police alleged Mr Cole approached Ms Frahm’s car armed with a firearm and shot her multiple times in front of two children about 4.30pm as she sat in her driveway on Robb Place about to take the pair to a sporting event.

The two girls were able to run and get help from James ‘Jimmy’ McGill, 66, who was nearby visiting his 89-year-old mother’s home at the time.

It is alleged Cole also shot Mr McGill in the chest and he was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

Mr Cole, 32, was taken into custody about 7.45pm at the Paget KFC/BP service station and later charged with Ms Frahm’s murder and the attempted murder of Mr McGill.

Natalie Frahm was killed on June 19, 2024, with the alleged shooter, Ryan Cole, 31, charged with murder. Picture: Supplied

No pleas have been entered and police have previously said there was nothing to suggest Mr Cole and Ms Frahm were known to each other.

The case against Cole was mentioned briefly in Mackay Magistrates Court on Tuesday where his barrister Kate Juhasz told the court it had been referred to the Mental Health Court in Brisbane.

“All charges are suspended until that is resolved,” Ms Juhasz told the court, appearing over the phone.

She further said one psychiatric report had already been supplied and another was one sought – once that was supplied there would be an idea of how the matter would proceed.

Police took Cole into custody at the KFC and BP service station at Paget. Picture: Paul Brescia/Heidi Petith

Magistrate Patricia Kirkman-Scroope said the court had not yet received a copy of the notice of suspension, and was told Mr Cole’s instructing solicitor would provide that later today.

Prosecutor Ruth Whisker told the court it was estimated the Mental Health Court process could take 12 months to two years to be completed.

She also asked for an extension regarding the police brief of evidence against Mr Cole, telling the court DNA testing was still outstanding and there was no indication how long that might take.

Ms Juhasz said there was no issue given the case had been suspended pending the Mental Health Court process.

The brief of evidence was extended until June 30, 2026 while Mr Cole’s case will be mentioned again in early December.

Originally published as Ryan Geoffrey Cole murder charge for allegedly shooting Natalie Frahm in Mackay ‘suspended’