Kate Malonyay: 10 years since Sydney woman was murdered by Gold Coast man Elliott Coulson

A woman was violently murdered by her ex-boyfriend before he fled to the Gold Coast in a crime which made headlines globally. The killer was then farewelled as a hero in an “offensive” event.

IT was the murder that shocked a nation.

Kate Malonyay, a much-loved finance worker, was found dead in her unit in Sydney in late April 2013, having been bashed and strangled.

Her body was discovered days after she had been slain by her ex-boyfriend Elliott Coulson.

Friends and family were unaware she had died because they continued to receive messages from her phone for several days which in fact were sent by Coulson as he escaped detection and fled to the Gold Coast.

Kate Malonyay was murdered by her ex-boyfriend Elliott Coulson. Picture: Supplied

‘‘There were text messages coming from her phone responding to messages (from friends) and it was as though she was still alive and just trying to arrange a catch-up with some girls,’’ a long-time friend, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Bulletin at the time.

An inquest into the killing found Coulson flew into Coolangatta and rented a $500 a night room at the Surfers Paradise Marriott using Ms Malonyay’s credit card.

Coulson was a graduate of The Southport School (TSS) and a seaman in the Royal Australia Navy and his connections with the city were well-known.

Police tracked Coulson down at the Marriott at 11.40am on April 24, 2013 and officers rapidly moved into the hotel to arrest him.

Elliott Coulson killer his ex-girlfriend.

But as officers knocked on the door, the 32-year-old jumped to his death, plunging from the 26th floor to the ground, crashing through a metal awning.

The case took another twist a decade ago this week when Coulson was given a hero’s send-off with full naval honours at his taxpayer-funded funeral.

Coulson’s coffin was draped in the white navy ensign and a guard of honour carried it out of Nerang’s Sommerville House, where more than 200 people farewelled him.

Coulson’s school friends remembered a man popular and the life of the party.

“We should remember the good times. They will always outweigh the bad.’’

The move angered domestic violence and women’s rights campaigners who said he had lost the right to be honoured.

Police at the Surfers Paradise Mariott after Coulson’s death.

Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence director Di Macleod said the navy was effectively condoning domestic violence.

“I think a number of people in the community would be offended by it,’’ said Ms Macleod.

“Anyone who uses violence against women or children loses the right to be treated as a hero.’’

A military spokesman defended the full naval service for the accused murderer.

“Despite what he is accused of having done, he is entitled to be buried by the Royal Australian Navy,’’ he said.

“His parents and friends are entitled to the tribute if he was a serving member of the navy.’’

Damage to the Marriott building.

The Australian Defence Force refused to reveal to the Bulletin the cost of the service but said the response was appropriate.

“Defence is aware of the participation of uniformed naval members at Seaman Coulson’s funeral,’’ a spokesman said.

“It is departmental policy that appropriate support may be provided to the funeral of a serving member at the request of the member’s family.”

Funeral of Elliott Coulson, at Somerville Chapel, Nerang in May 2013.

The Royal Australian Navy apologised for giving Coulson a military funeral more than two years later.

Vice Admiral Tim Barrett said he was, and remained, “appalled at the brutal and violent murder at the hands of Elliott Coulson”.

“I acknowledge that the decision to support Elliott Coulson’s family with navy participation in the funeral has caused distress to Ms Malonyay’s family, friends and the wider community,” he said.

“I unreservedly apologise.”

Follow @GCS_Pottsy

Originally published as Kate Malonyay: 10 years since Sydney woman was murdered by Gold Coast man Elliott Coulson