Pawel Klosowski: Man who shot dead son, girlfriend loses appeal

There were emotional scenes after the monster father who brutally shot dead his son and son’s girlfriend suffered a major legal blow.

The South Australian father who killed his son and the teenager’s girlfriend at a family barbecue has failed in his bid to spend less time behind bars for the “brutal, execution-style” murders.

There were dramatic scenes in Adelaide as the Court of Appeal erupted into applause upon hearing Pawel Klosowski would keep his life sentence with a non-parole period of 34 years for the horrific double murder which sent shockwaves across Australia.

The 47-year-old killer had tried to appeal the length of his minimum jail term for shooting dead his son Lukasz along with his girlfriend, Chelsea Ireland, both 19, at his property at Mount McIntyre, near Millicent, in the state’s southeast in August 2020.

Chelsea Ireland and Lukasz Klosowski, both 19, were killed by Lukasz’s father Pawel Klosowski last year. Picture: Supplied/Facebook

The killer, 47, pleaded guilty to shooting dead the two teenagers at his Mount McIntyre home. Picture: Supplied/Facebook

His legal team had submitted that Klosowski’s numerous mental and physical factors contributed to his behaviour, including being more susceptible to the effects of alcohol because his stomach was stapled.

Klosowski had argued that Justice Anne Bampton’s sentence in April was “manifestly excessive” as the discount for his early guilty plea wasn’t high enough.

But on Thursday President Trish Kelly, Justice Sam Doyle and Justice Mark Livesey dismissed the appeal.

Klosowski was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non parole period of 34 years. Picture: Facebook

His lawyer Nick Vadasz argued that the 34-year term was “manifestly excessive”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

In their published findings, the justices agreed the non-parole period was not “manifestly excessive” and no error was found that justified the court’s intervention.

“As horrific as each of these cases was, and as will be seen, none provide any reason to challenge the approach of the sentencing judge in this case,” the remarks read.

“Not only was this a double murder, but it involved an extraordinary response to what many would consider a banal domestic disagreement. The appellant’s offending, affected by alcohol, can be seen to be characterised by determination, brutality and purpose.”

The justices said the “brutal, execution-style crimes” warranted a “severe sentence” and the sentencing judge was correct to place Klosowski’s offending in the most serious category of crimes.

“The very grave circumstances in which these crimes were committed justified the imposition of a severe punishment.

“While the starting point of 40 years selected by the sentencing judge in this case might be described as high, it was not outside the range available to her.”

Outside of court, Lukasz’s mother Magda Pearce said both victims’ families were dealt life sentences of grief.

Lukasz Klosowski's Mother Magda Pearce said she and Ms Ireland’s parents were dealt a life sentence of grief. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

Ms Ireland’s mother Debra and father Greg said the families were “relieved” by the outcome. SA. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

“None of this makes sense … We will forever grieve,” she said.

“We will never mention the prisoner again and are hoping he will never be mentioned again after tonight.

“We’re hoping that our children will always be remembered and we will honour them because they were great kids. They should be here.”

Ms Ireland’s father Greg said the families felt a sense of “relief” when the appeal was dismissed.

The court heard the young couple were pronounced dead by paramedics at 12.40am on August 23. Picture: Supplied

Police found Lukasz Klosowski’s body on a bed and Ms Ireland’s in the bathtub with her mobile phone. Picture: Supplied

His wife Debra cried as she told reporters the families could finally concentrate on grieving their children now that the court proceedings had finalised.

“We just have to do our best,” she said through tears.

The court had previously heard Klosowski’s second wife told Ms Ireland on the night of the murders that her husband was “pissed as f**k” — something he did weekly.

The killer got into an argument with his son and later grabbed his gun from a locked cabinet.

After loading it with bullets, Klosowski aimed and shot twice at his son then reloaded and shot two bullets at the bathroom door, where Ms Ireland had locked herself inside.

There, she rang police, saying her boyfriend had been assaulted by his “angry” and ”intoxicated” father.

She, like her boyfriend, was killed by the second bullet.

Both victims were shot at from close range about 11.30pm and pronounced dead by paramedics at 12.40am on August 23.

Police found Lukasz’s body face down on a bed and Ms Ireland in a bathtub with her phone.

Klosowski will not be eligible for parole until he is 80 years old.