Tragic news on the Gold Coast.
Warning: this post deals with domestic violence and may be triggering for some readers.
Update: The young mother involved in an allegedly deliberate crash and bashing on Tuesday morning in Brisbane has died succumbing to her injuries.
24-year old Tara Brown, the mother of a three-year old girl, died surrounded by family overnight after they made the heartbreaking decision to turn off her life support.
Her partner ex-bikie Lionel Patea has now been charged with her murder. He was also charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, attempted unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and contravene a domestic violence order.
Police have said that the domestic violence order was taken out by Ms Brown just last week.
The Courier Mail reports that on Thursday she asked police to help her fearing for her safety and showed them text messages from Mr. Patea but was told to seek help elsewhere.
The Courier Mail reports that police are now investigating that advice.
“The appropriateness of the police response … has been reported to the Queensland Police Service Ethical Standards Command and is currently being investigated by a senior officer,” an official statement said.
Friends have paid tribute to the young mother on social media.
Mamamia previously reported:
A young mother is on life support after a shocking domestic violence attack on the Gold Coast.
Following it was a white jeep that allegedly began ramming the woman’s car, a car with a stroller clearly visible in the back and children’s toys.
One resident told The Gold Coast Bulletin: “There was a massive car bang, and when it came down off the retaining wall and landed down on its roof and up on its side — there was just a lot of screaming.”
Terrified residents then saw a man allegedly approach the vehicle with what some say was an iron implement — others say was a brick — and begin bashing the woman hanging upside down in the car.
“I could see the guy that had come across the road and just absolutely beat her,” one resident said.
“The lady who lives next door was just screaming.
“She was saying, ‘He’s just murdered her in front of me — I can’t believe it’.
“It was horrible.”
Another neighbour told The Gold Coast Bulletin the cars had been travelling at over 100km per hour before they came screeching to a stop.
“The man got out and bashed the woman with a steel plate — it looked like the cap off a fire hydrant… One of the neighbours grabbed him and tried to get him off her,” the resident said.
“There was the pram in the back and all the toys which is why we were worried if there were any kids at the start.
“The car was on its side and her condition was terrible — if someone takes to you with a steel plate it’s not good.”
Ted Harding, who ran to the scene from his home. told The Courier-Mail that he heard a “loud crunching sound, like a really bad car crash”.
He said his neighbour saw a man hitting the woman with a piece of metal.
“There was nothing we could do for her,” Mr Harding said. “She was laying upside-down inside the car with her legs through the steering wheel. She was gasping pretty badly by then. I think she was in dire straits. Coming in and out of consciousness.”
The man police allege may be responsible for the attack is Lionel Patea, a “retired” Bandidos sergeant-at-arms who was involved in the 2013 Broadbeach bikie brawl.
Patea avoided jail time over the brawl after pleading guilty to a downgraded charge of causing a public nuisance.
The Courier Mail reports there is a “significant history” of domestic violence between couple, who have a three-year old daughter.
After locals pulled Patea off his partner, he ran — stealing a council worker’s ute that was parked nearby.
Less than an hour later, police confirmed the former Bandido turned himself in to Coomera Police Station with what appeared to be severe self-inflicted puncture wounds to his chest and neck.
“It’s obviously a ferocious attack – it’s very sad to see this level of domestic violence,” Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Procter said.
It is expected that Lionel Patea will be charged later this morning.
For Domestic Violence help 24/7, call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Top Comments
That any one has the audacity to suggest that poor Tara, a victim of horrific domestic violence is somehow to blame for the fate that befell her should be abhorrent to any right thinking people. DV is wrong. Period.
Patea should face the full force of the law.
I respect everyone's right to their own opinions but voicing them in such a way that might facilitate defective thinking individuals perpetrating acts of violence is shameful.
I cannot believe the mentality of some people here. This was an out right act of domestic violence, of evil, of domination, of control. It had nothing to do with the fact that she dated an ex bikie. It is mindsets like yours Kylie1 has to why our society is the was it is in offering little help to these women in this DV situation. People suffering DV don't start of in a relationship with beatings and abuse. They fall in love with their partners like anyone else...like a normal healthy relationship. It clearly states in the article that the police were less than helpful and supportive in protecting her when she needed to leave. Another typical example of how this system is failing women like Tara. Her blood is also on their hands. This act was the supreme "how dare you leave and tell me I can't come near you" this is what controllers and abusers do. He was punishing her for trying to make the right decision and now she is dead. Shame on ANYONE that is unsympathetic or unempathetic! No matter your choice in partner - no matter there history - NOONE deserves this. PERIOD
I feel Kylie1 is inadvertently saying that anyone who stays in an abusive relationship is stupid and it's their own fault for staying, which is completely the wrong message to be sending out.