List: Domestic violence offences in Rockhampton

Police are pleading with those who find themselves in domestic violence situations to seek help before it goes wrong. Sadly, several people in Rockhampton have lost their lives.

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In the wake of an alleged domestic violence attempted murder case on Father’s Day, Rockhampton Police are pleading with people in domestic violence situations to reach out for help.

One in six women and one in 18 men have experienced violence from a partner, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics released results this month from the Personal Safety Survey conducted between March 2021 and May 2022.

The survey provides an estimate of victims of family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia.

Capricorn Crime Group Detective Inspector Luke Peachey said recent high profile alleged domestic violence-related crimes in Rockhampton have been “concerning” but assured the community that police were doing their best.

“It’s obviously concerning given how many we have seen in the last couple of months in Rockhampton,” he said.

Det Insp Peachey said there are plenty of avenues of assistance, for victims and perpetrators.

“We just ask people to call... support services out there if you are thinking about doing something like this, please seek help and reach out to someone,” he said.

“If these people are thinking about perpetrating an act of domestic violence, please reach out and talk to someone.

“Please call police, if there is any indication an act of domestic violence is about to occur, we need to be the first call.

“The last thing we want to do is standing here before the media on another attempted homicide or homicide.”

DEATHS IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CIRCUMSTANCES

KAREN JAYNE GILLILAND

June 23, 2020

Karen Gilliland pictured at work in the pathology lab.

Nigel John Gilliland was found guilty of murder (domestic violence) in August 2021 at Rockhampton Supreme Court and ordered to serve life in prison, which is a minimum non-parole period of 20 years.

Mr Gilliland stabbed his wife, Karen Jayne Gilliland, aged 42, approximately 27 times to the heart, lungs and major artery in her neck, at her Brae Street home on June 23, 2020.

The pair were married but had been separated at the time and shared three children together.

A domestic violence order had been taken out in May 2013 which Gilliland breached twice in two days.

Ms Gilliland moved into her own rental property away from her husband on May 1, 2020, with the help of her family.

It was 44 days later when she was killed at her new home.

KEVIN JOHN RYAN

October 4, 2017

Kevin John Ryan, 40, was the victim of a fatal stabbing in Emu Park.

Kimberley Ruth Mitchell pleaded guilty to manslaughter of her former lover Kevin John Ryan, 40, in March 2020.

He had sustained a nine to 10cm deep stab wound in his chest.

Neighbours rushed to assist him when they saw he staggered from the front of Mitchell’s Emu Park unit and collapsed.

In sentencing the manslaughter charge, the judge said Mitchell did not render any assistance and said she was “heartless and inhumane”.

Mitchell was ordered a 9.5 year prison term on declared 693 days presentence custody.

Parole eligibility was not set.

JULIE RUSH

January 28, 2019

Julie Rush

The bodies of couple Julie Rush and Dr Andrew Carll were found at their Frenchville home late on January 28, 2019.

It is believed it was Rockhampton anaesthetist Dr Carll murdered his 49-year-old wife and then took his own life.

Police said a firearm was used.

TRACEY HILL

December 22, 2017

Rockhampton woman Tracey Hill, 53, was the victim of a horrific murder-suicide on Friday, December 22 2017.

Tracey Hill, 53, was reported to have been “bludgeoned” to death in a horrific murder-suicide.

Ms Hill’s daughter and one-year-old grandchild were inside her Mills Avenue home when the grandchild’s father, 25, arrived armed with a machete and hammer just before 6am.

The daughter had taken action days earlier to escape her partner.

The man left the murder scene and drove towards Emu Park before he crashed into a stationary police vehicle.

Both vehicles burst into flames and the man was found dead inside his car with apparent self-inflicted stab wounds to the throat and heart and a number of knives.

The police officer did not sustain life-threatening injuries.

Originally published as List: Domestic violence offences in Rockhampton