Court told of alleged motive for Ballarat mum Kobie Parfitt’s murder

A woman’s body was found down a mine shaft near Ballarat last year – now police have told a court their theory for why she was allegedly murdered.

A Ballarat mum was murdered because a woman believed the mum had dobbed her into the cops, police allege.

Kobie Parfitt, 43, was last been seen alive at a Hickman St property in Ballarat on April 28, 2020. Police located her remains down a mine shaft in Snake Valley bushland on December 22.

The Supreme Court of Victoria on Thursday was told that Ms Parfitt was allegedly killed because a woman named Shannon Jeffrey, 32, of Ballarat, who had recently been released from prison, believed Ms Parfitt had spoken to “the jacks” about her.

“Shannon Jeffrey had a significant grievance with the deceased, and the murder was committed in light of this grievance,” prosecutor Catherine Parkes said.

Police allege Ms Jeffrey was assisted by Jacob Ford, Renee Bridget Reynolds and Brendon James Prestage, all of whom have been charged with murder.

Police allege Kobie Parfitt was killed by four people who allegedly dumped her body down a mine shaft in bushland. Picture: Supplied by Victoria Police

In Thursday’s bail application for Mr Ford, 35, of Elaine, Ms Parkes alleged Mr Ford and Ms Jeffrey went to Ms Parfitt’s house on April 28 last year and started stealing stuff from her house while she was home.

A neighbour told police that Ms Parfitt was “petrified” and said she was scared she would be “put in the boot”.

Mr Ford allegedly told a witness he was collecting Ms Parfitt’s possessions because she had sold his possessions while he was in jail.

The father of four said she’d “screwed over a lot of people”, police allege.

Mr Ford’s lawyer Chris Pearson said the police case was lacking evidence.

“The applicant is not charged with putting the deceased in fear; he’s charged with her murder,” he said.

A forensic pathologist could not determine Ms Parfitt’s cause of death after her body was allegedly down a mine shaft for eight months, the court was told.

Mr Ford’s sister offered a $15,000 surety if he was granted bail.

Justice Lesley Taylor will make a bail decision at a later date.

Originally published as Court told of alleged motive for Ballarat mum Kobie Parfitt’s murder