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Remember their faces: Women killed in Australia
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Remember their faces: Women killed in Australia

An alarming number of Australian women have been killed in recent years and the number of victims keeps rising. A woman was killed every four days in the first half of 2024. Find out more about their lives and what is being done to prevent more women’s deaths. Some of the cases featured are still before the courts.

53 stories
Annette Brennan and her alleged killer, Stephen Fleming.

Man denies murdering English teacher and dumping body in bin

Stephen Fleming is to stand trial in the Supreme Court over the death of Annette Brennan, whose body was found in green waste at a recycling facility.

  • by Melissa Cunningham
Man arrested over murder of partner after nationwide manhunt

Man arrested over murder of partner after nationwide manhunt

The body of Meaghan Louise Rose, 25, was found at the base of cliffs on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Keith Lees has been apprehended in Sydney.

  • by Jessica McSweeney and Clare Sibthorpe
A man is arrested in Langwarrin following a stabbing incident.
Updated

Man charged with murder after woman stabbed to death in Langwarrin

A man has been charged with murder over the stabbing death of his wife inside their home in Melbourne’s south-east, a day after they celebrated Christmas there with family.

  • by Marta Pascual Juanola and Hannah Hammoud
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Chloe Jade Mason died on a suburban street in Caboolture on Sunday night.
Updated

Tributes for ‘beautiful sister’ allegedly chased, gunned down in suspected murder

Chloe Jade Mason was found unconscious with a gunshot wound on a Caboolture footpath in the early hours of Sunday morning after reportedly being pursued by two men.

  • by Catherine Strohfeldt
Man jailed for up to 24 years after stabbing ex-girlfriend to death in front of her child

Man jailed for up to 24 years after stabbing ex-girlfriend to death in front of her child

James Pualic murdered Analyn “Logee” Osias, a mother of four, after breaking into her Bendigo home in 2023.

  • by Tara Cosoleto
Axe murderer sentenced to 37 years’ jail for killing estranged wife

Axe murderer sentenced to 37 years’ jail for killing estranged wife

A judge found Dinush Kurera’s self-pity during a bitter divorce transformed into homicidal rage.

  • by Erin Pearson
Andre Rebelo’s murder trial lasted eight weeks.

Web of lies: Why Andre Rebelo killed his ‘happy and healthy’ mother

Jurors cried as the verdict was announced on Thursday afternoon following nearly two days of deliberation and an eight-week trial.

  • by Rebecca Peppiatt
The Footscray property where the woman’s body was found.

Man charged with murder after woman’s body found at Footscray brothel

Police have charged a 35-year-old man who appeared in court on Thursday.

  • by Shelby Garlick and Erin Pearson
Hannah McGuire’s alleged killer fights to move trial away from home town

Hannah McGuire’s alleged killer fights to move trial away from home town

Lachlan Young, who has pleaded not guilty to killing his 23-year-old ex-girlfriend, wants his murder trial heard in Melbourne rather than Ballarat.

  • by Erin Pearson
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Eyal Yaffe applied for bail on Friday.
Updated

Man accused of helping dispose of Isla Bell’s body in fridge granted bail

Eyal Yaffe has been released on strict conditions including a $20,000 surety and that he wear an ankle bracelet and abide by a curfew.

  • by Erin Pearson
Father’s heartbreaking revelation about Sydney acid bath murder victim
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Father’s heartbreaking revelation about Sydney acid bath murder victim

The parents of a pregnant Sydney woman murdered by her husband have told a court their daughter was stolen from her family by a man who was meant to love and respect her.

  • by Sarah McPhee
Isla Bell had dreams of being a marine biologist.
Editorial

Isla’s memory must be honoured with action

It is now commonplace to talk about violence against women as a “national crisis”. But has our response been commensurate with this sort of language?

  • The Age's View
Ariel Bombara speaks at a domestic violence rally in Perth on Monday, November 25. Picture: Hamish Hastie
Graphic content

‘A terrifying game of cat and mouse’: Floreat murderer’s daughter speaks at DV rally

Ariel Bombara has revealed her abusive father was on the phone to her mother when he murdered her best friend and her best friend’s daughter.

  • by Hamish Hastie and Heather McNeill
Left to right: Lions co-captain Harris Andrews, Lions CEO Greg Swann, Beyond DV’s Carolyn Robinson and chief justice Will Alstergren.

‘Men can lead the change’: Brisbane Lions join call for men to step up on family violence

Australia’s top Family Court judge has joined sporting stars and entertainers to call on men to step up and speak out against domestic and family violence.

  • by Courtney Kruk
A pile of hard rubbish at the corner of Tucker Road and Brosa Avenue in Bentleigh that police cordoned off  and searched on Tuesday.

Murdered, stuffed in a fridge and driven across Melbourne. What police allege happened to Isla Bell

Police allege the death of 19-year-old Isla Bell was caught on a sophisticated CCTV system, which then captured her “sugar daddy” trying to dispose of her body.

  • by Erin Pearson
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Face behind the flyer: The gentle life and cruel death of Melbourne’s ‘missing’ teenager

Face behind the flyer: The gentle life and cruel death of Melbourne’s ‘missing’ teenager

For six weeks, Isla Bell became the teen everyone knew as “missing” – but to her loved ones, the 19-year-old was so much more.

  • by Cassandra Morgan
Vicky Apostolopoulos.

Vicky’s home was open to anyone who needed her. Then she was killed on her doorstep

The death of Vicky Apostolopoulos, who was allegedly murdered by her neighbour, has sent her loved ones into shock.

  • by Cassandra Morgan
Maryam Hamka’s mother, Susan Iramiyan, leaving the Victorian Supreme Court, which found Toby Loughnane guilty of murder.

Susan visits her daughter’s grave every day. At night, she dreams of her screaming for help

Maryam Hamka’s devastated mother knows no parent should have to bury a child. Now she wants her killer punished for what he’s done to her family.

  • by Erin Pearson
Families watch on as Samantha Murphy’s accused killer opts to fast-track murder trial
Updated

Families watch on as Samantha Murphy’s accused killer opts to fast-track murder trial

Patrick Stephenson will have his trial fast-tracked to the Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to murdering the missing Ballarat mother.

  • by Erin Pearson
Noeline Dalzell was murdered by her former partner.
Exclusive

Noeline wasn’t warned her ex had been released from jail early. Soon after, she was murdered

The case has prompted the state coroner to call for an overhaul of the way Victoria deals with family violence perpetrators.

  • by Erin Pearson
Rosemary Franzidis was remembered by her family for her kindness and devotion.

Third person charged over string of offences before crash killed grandmother

The death of 69-year-old Rosemary Franzidis at Murrumba Downs came after car thefts and attempted robberies at gunpoint in the hours before the crash.

  • by Cloe Read
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Xiaozheng Lin covered his face when arriving at court on Thursday.

Man who killed two sex workers hours apart to serve seven more years

Xiaozheng Lin killed the two women in their own homes, but struck a deal to plead guilty to manslaughter. The sentence has been labelled unjust and unfair.

  • by Erin Pearson
Bombshell evidence about Bondi Westfield killer revealed at hearing

Bombshell evidence about Bondi Westfield killer revealed at hearing

The first hearing into the stabbing rampage, in which Joel Cauchi killed six people before being shot dead by police, has been held in Sydney.

  • by Perry Duffin
Screengrabs of footage of Joe Lo Bianco, 53, on the evening of his wife’s murder.

Man who murdered his wife in Northcote garage jailed for 24 years

The anti-vaxxer bludgeoned his scientist wife to death with a 7.5-kilogram metal car ramp.

  • by Holly Hales
Murder accused in hospital after charges over South Morang woman’s death

Murder accused in hospital after charges over South Morang woman’s death

The 33-year-old partner of Nikkita Azzopardi missed his court hearing because he is receiving treatment in hospital.

  • by Erin Pearson and Lachlan Abbott
Police said several people sent them information about Robert Crawford after their appeal.
Updated

Murder accused allegedly moved wife’s body near mower

A man accused of murdering his wife moved her body before she was found dead near a ride-on lawnmower, police allege.

  • by Rex Martinich
Hannah McGuire, 23, was found dead on April 5.

Hannah McGuire’s accused killer pleads not guilty as her family packs courtroom

Lachlan Young’s murder trial will go straight to the Supreme Court, after he pleaded not guilty to killing Hannah McGuire, whose loved ones watched on, wearing jumpers emblazoned with her picture.

  • by Erin Pearson
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Carolyn Stuckey was shot dead by her husband. He was then allowed to raise their three small children

Carolyn Stuckey was shot dead by her husband. He was then allowed to raise their three small children

Allan Stuckey spent 22 months in jail for killing his wife, then raised their children. Now one of them wants to know why – and help give a voice to other child survivors of family violence.

  • by Wendy Tuohy
Nelomie did everything to protect herself. Her estranged husband killed her anyway

Nelomie did everything to protect herself. Her estranged husband killed her anyway

A judge has suggested family violence offenders be forced to wear ankle bracelets after the axe murder of a mother in front of her children.

  • by Erin Pearson
The $702m plan to help tackle rise in domestic violence
Exclusive

The $702m plan to help tackle rise in domestic violence

A spate of killings earlier this year prompted the government to commission a rapid review. On Friday, the national cabinet meets to respond.

  • by David Crowe
Xiaoting Wang was found dead in her Burwood unit.

Sydney University student found dead in Burwood unit identified

Detectives are appealing for help from the community to solve the death of the international student, whose partner was also found dead.

  • by Jessica McSweeney
Perth dad gets 20 years for fatally stabbing partner in front of kids

Perth dad gets 20 years for fatally stabbing partner in front of kids

In sentencing the man over Emmerich Lasakar’s death, a Perth judge has said domestic violence is at crisis point, requiring “a broader societal response”.

  • by Rebecca Peppiatt
Emma Bates was found dead in her home in Cobram, in Victoria’s north, in April this year.

Beneath a veil of violence: The inspiring life and haunting death of Emma Bates

Emma, 49, was found dead in her home in April by police who broke in to conduct a welfare check. She had head and upper body injuries consistent with being violently assaulted.

  • by Melissa Cunningham
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Police allege Kiesha Thompson, 23, was the victim of a domestic violence murder.
Updated

Keisha lost her life in a hit-run crash. Police say it was no accident

Police say the young mother struck by a vehicle after dropping a child at a daycare centre had been in a relationship months earlier with a man now charged over her death.

  • by Cloe Read
A relative called police, concerned for Kierra-Lea. They found her fatally stabbed at home
Updated

A relative called police, concerned for Kierra-Lea. They found her fatally stabbed at home

Police have charged a 36-year-old man with murder after the body of a woman with multiple stab wounds was found in Ipswich.

  • by Courtney Kruk and Bailey Kenzie
English teacher Annette Brennan.

Annette taught English to migrants and loved helping people. Then her body was found in a wheelie bin

Shocked former students and members of Annette Brennan’s church have remembered her as an amazing teacher and a “second mum” to some.

  • by Marta Pascual Juanola
Nunia Kurualeba was allegedly stabbed to death at the hands of her partner in her Kingswood home.
Updated

‘She loved everyone, she had a lot of friends’: Sister weeps for lost Nunia

A young housekeeper allegedly stabbed to death in her home was a fun-loving woman who was warm and popular, her sister said.

  • by Perry Duffin, Jessica McSweeney and Clare Sibthorpe
Sarah Miles was remembered as a “very strong person” and a “fighter” by her son.

Son’s anguish over police domestic violence response to dying mother

Two NSW MPs have demanded a public review of a police failure to respond promptly to a triple-zero call after screams were reported coming from Sarah Miles’ home. When officers arrived after an hour, they discovered a dying woman.

  • by Kate Aubusson and Angus Dalton
Maryam Hamka was last seen alive in April 2021.

Former partner found guilty of murdering Maryam Hamka

A jury has found Toby Loughnane guilty of murdering girlfriend Maryam Hamka at his Brighton home before burying her body in a shallow grave.

  • by Erin Pearson
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Exclusive

What 70 per cent of men who kill their partners have in common

Groundbreaking new research into the violent deaths of hundreds of women around Australia has revealed the legal system had previous contact with most of the killers.

  • by Wendy Tuohy
‘That was my true love,’ Perth man told police moments after stabbing partner to death

‘That was my true love,’ Perth man told police moments after stabbing partner to death

Julian Pau has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of mother of five Vitorina Bruce, who was found fatally stabbed in a Perth hotel corridor.

  • by Rebecca Peppiatt
Bail decisions set for overhaul as Ticehurst investigation launched

Bail decisions set for overhaul as Ticehurst investigation launched

The NSW government will probe whether Molly Ticehurst was offered “intruder proofing” to her home in the weeks before she was killed.

  • by Christopher Harris
Harley Jefferies, 33, allegedly bludgeoned his 61-year-old mother Evette Verney to death in Byford, WA.

Byford killing in front of child ‘dreadful domestic violence case’: premier

A 33-year-old man stands accused of bludgeoning his mother to death on Sunday evening in her Byford home, leaving a child witness to call police as she died.

  • by Heather McNeill and Michael Stamp
‘Violent and merciless’: Man who murdered girlfriend after prolonged ‘nang’ use jailed

‘Violent and merciless’: Man who murdered girlfriend after prolonged ‘nang’ use jailed

Liqun Pan,19, was fatally stabbed by her partner in an apartment littered with empty nitrous oxide canisters. The man fell four floors and spent months in a coma before his arrest.

  • by Clare Sibthorpe
Ariel Bombara has spoken out after her father killed two Perth women.

‘I want answers’: Daughter of Floreat killer warned police about ‘imminent threat to our lives’

Mark Bombara’s daughter Ariel Bombara says serious concerns about her father and his guns were raised with WA Police multiple times in the lead up to the murders.

  • by Rebecca Peppiatt
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Sven Lindemann, Monique Lezsak
Analysis

‘Stop the crocodile tears’: How a judge silenced a remorseless killer

Mother of twins Monique Lezsak died in a frenzied knife attack at the hands of her then partner, Sven Lindemann, as her daughter desperately tried to help.

  • by John Silvester
Opinion

I gave the eulogy at Molly Ticehurst’s funeral. Here’s how we can all best remember her

Please do not let Molly’s death be just another statistic. Let her name be heard. And remembered. For the good she brought and will bring. 

  • by Aidan Clarke
Nyaparu died from a heart attack after suffering a sustained beating from her partner in Perth’s CBD in 2022.

‘They are not a punching bag for your anger’: Court finds man who punched woman 40 times did not contribute to her death

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that the following story contains an image of a deceased person.

  • by Heather McNeill
Dannielle Finlay-Jones.
Exclusive

‘It was a murder waiting to happen’: Dannielle never knew the truth about her monster boyfriend

The family of Dannielle Finlay-Jones are speaking out for the first time since her murder, demanding change from the government. Her boyfriend took his own life in jail.

  • by Amelia Adams and Laura Sparkes
To the police she was a missing person. Erika knew her ‘perfect friend’ was dead
Exclusive

To the police she was a missing person. Erika knew her ‘perfect friend’ was dead

Erika Wadlow-Smith won’t forget the moment her phone lit up with messages about the disappearance of her friend Shereen Kumar.

  • by Sarah McPhee

Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/national/remember-their-faces-women-killed-in-australia-20240905-p5k881.html