Michelle Meades death: Kylie Jane Hack pleads guilty to manslaughter

UPDATED: A woman involved in the death of Michelle Meades has pleaded guilty, telling a court she took full responsibility for her actions.

Police investigators at the scene of the home where Michelle Meades’ body was found.

A MORNINGTON woman whose actions contributed to the death of Michelle Meades in 2016 has told a court she is deeply sorry and ashamed.

Kylie Jane Hack, 36, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court in Hobart on Thursday to the manslaughter of Ms Meades, 51, of Kingston.

Hack also pleaded guilty to perverting justice — by cleaning the crime scene, concealing the body, setting fire to a unit and lying to police — and stealing a handbag that belonged to Ms Meades.

Michelle Meades.

Director of Public Prosecutions Daryl Coates, SC, said Hack and two others formed a common purpose to assault Ms Meades on September 17, 2016, and as a result of that assault, Ms Meades died.

Mr Coates said Ms Meades was at a Clarendon Vale unit where she bought a quantity of the drug ice when she got involved in an argument with Hack and two others.

Mr Coates said Ms Meades made a comment about Hack’s children.

“This made the accused very angry,” Mr Coates said.

He said Hack punched Ms Meades about two times.

“[Ms Meades] was scared and saying, ‘no, no, no’,” Mr Coates said.

The court heard there was other violence towards Ms Meades — that she was stabbed 20 times to the neck with a pair of nail scissors and struck with a golf putter — acts Hack denies being involved in.

“At some point [Ms Meades] was looking at the accused and saying, ‘please help me’, but she would not help her,” Mr Coates said.

Flowers left at the Clarendon Vale house where the body of Michelle Louise Meades was found. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

He said Hack helped conceal the body in a wardrobe at the unit and that she set fire to the unit early in the morning on September 20.

“She cleaned the house, she burnt it down, she stole from the deceased and she lied to the police,” Mr Coates said.

“The perverting justice was sustained and went to great lengths.”

The court heard Ms Meades was reported missing on September 19.

Her body was found on September 22.

Hack read a handwritten statement to the court in which she said she was “deeply sorry and ashamed”.

“I’m aware that no amount of apology could ever compensate for this tragedy however I believe it is overdue and important to be said,” Hack said.

She said she took full responsibility for her actions and, for the past three years in jail, had been working on her “mental and physical recovery” from her addiction.

“I will re-enter society as a contributing member,” she said.

Kylie Hack’s lawyers Caroline Graves and Greg Melick, SC, leaving the Supreme Court in Hobart.

Hack’s barrister Greg Melick, SC, said Hack had a long history of substance abuse and had been exposed to drugs and violence from a young age.

Mr Melick said Hack was a model prisoner and a hard worker who had excellent prospects of rehabilitation.

“To this day she still regrets and is remorseful that she did nothing to help … especially when she heard Ms Meades calling out for help,” he said.

The case has been adjourned until September 26 when it is expected Justice Helen Wood will sentence Hack.