The family of Teresa Bradford is furious Queensland’s legal system failed to protect her from being murdered by her violent ex-partner and has called for urgent change.
The mother-of-four was killed by David Bradford, who had been released from custody on bail, when he broke into her Gold Coast home while she was sleeping on January 31.
After killing her, Bradford committed suicide.
“[The legal system] immensely, immensely failed. I’m beyond angry,” her brother Darren O’Brien told 7.30 in an exclusive interview.
“The Government needs to change the way they do things to save lives.”
Teresa’s sister-in-law, Narelle O’Brien, said it was unacceptable Bradford had been given bail by the Gold Coast’s specialist domestic violence court in January. The police had opposed bail.
“It’s disgusting, I don’t know how they can justify it. Obviously he was a danger to the public. Why was he allowed out? I just don’t understand the system,” Ms O’Brien said.
Call for perpetrators to have mental health checks
Teresa’s murder sparked widespread outrage and a number of community events were held in her memory, including a candlelight vigil where people called for change.
In March the Queensland parliament passed sweeping reforms including a law that a survivor of domestic violence must be notified if their perpetrator is released, something that failed to happen with Teresa.
But her family said it was not enough and are calling for compulsory mental health checks for perpetrators.