Baby murderer Henry Shepherdson previously charged with threats to kill months before murder-suicide

The alleged violent history of a dad accused of killing his baby daughter in a murder-suicide at a SA tourist attraction have been revealed in chilling court documents.

Chilling court documents have revealed the alleged violent history of a man who jumped from South Australia’s Whispering Wall with his infant daughter strapped to his body, killing them both.

Henry Shepherdson and his daughter Kobi died in the suspected murder-suicide at the Barossa tourist attraction on Wednesday, with witnesses telling police they saw the father jump off the edge of the dam.

Paramedics found him dead when they arrived and were tragically unable to revive Kobi.

Police previously detailed a history of domestic violence within the family, but new court documents seen by NCA NewsWire showed Mr Shepherdson was charged with threatening to kill his baby daughter just last year.

Charge sheets from December 2020 show Mr Shepherdson was also charged with assault and false imprisonment against his partner, and threatening to kill both her and baby Kobi.

Kobi Shepherdson’s mother shared pictures of her daughter with the public and asked for privacy. Picture: SA Police

Mr Shepherdson was remanded in prison until early March, when the charges were dropped.

The court documents did not state why the charge against Mr Shepherdson were dropped.

Mr Shepherdson was also listed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on the day of the tragedy, just hours before he jumped from the Barossa Reservoir Whispering Wall, killing them both.

Earlier, South Australia Police Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said they were investigating the lead-up to the deaths.

Mr Parrott said there had been an extensive history of domestic violence between Mr Shepherdson and Kobi’s mother.

A makeshift memorial, not far from the Whispering Wall, is rapidly growing as people pay tribute to baby Kobi Shepherdson. Picture: Tim Yeatman/7 News Adelaide.

“Every relationship is a complex thing, particularly when there is also domestic violence involved in the relationship,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“And while I’m not at liberty to discuss the specifics of this particular situation, that will certainly form part of our investigation as to what was happening in the relationship and obviously, what was done prior to this particular incident.”

Mr Parrott said no one else is being sought over the deaths.

He said Mr Shepherdson had lawful access to his daughter at the time of the tragedy.

Kobi’s mother shared photos of her daughter and asked for privacy.

Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said the family had an extensive history with domestic violence. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“We have a beautiful little face which will probably be the face of domestic violence moving forward,” Mr Parrott said.

“When you see the photos supplied, that tells the story.”

Police have declined to comment on why the charges were dropped, referring the matter to the coroner.