Woman’s death marks grim milestone

Australia has marked a grim milestone with the first woman allegedly killed by her husband in 2024, in a suspected murder-suicide on Queensland’s Fraser Coast.

Police were called to a unit block on King Street in Urangan, a coastal suburb of Hervey Bay, for a welfare check about noon on Tuesday.

Upon arrival, police discovered the occupants of the suburban unit – a 70-year-old man and 68-year-old woman – were dead inside.

The pair have since been identified retired couple Bryan Monk and Janice Walker, who is believed to have been battling a serious illness.

The Courier Mail reported Ms Walker was nearing end-of-life care and that police were not yet sure if the couple had made a pact to end their lives.

Domestic violence advocates were quick to claims of a “so-called mercy killing”.

“Janice is the first Australian woman lost to violence this year. A reminder that violence impacts women at any age, in any location and regardless of their physical or other care needs,” femicide researcher Sherele Moody posted on X on Wednesday.

Ms Walker’s eligibility for Voluntary Assisted Dying is unclear.

A neighbour of the couple told the Courier Mail the couple were often seen sitting together on their balcony in the up-market area near Urangan Pier.

In a statement, officers said they believed the man and woman were known to each other and there was no threat to the community.

Maryborough Criminal Investigation Branch detectives and forensic police remained at the home on Wednesday.

Police said a post-mortem would be conducted to determine the cause of death and were appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.