Young daughter of murdered Aussie mum reveals hatred for killer

Young Queensland mother Gabrielle Marshall moved to Tasmania to build a new life, focus on fitness and plan for a future reunited with her daughter.

A few weeks later the 23-year-old was murdered in a frenzied stabbing as she slept on the floor of her friend's house in the coastal town of Ulverstone.

Her killer Colin William Drake, 37, who lived in supported accommodation on the same street about 230m away, had no clear motive for the June 14, 2021 attack. Drake appeared in the Supreme Court of Tasmania on Wednesday after pleading guilty to murder.

Grieving parents pay tribute in court

Gabrielle's parents Heidi and Rick Marshall paid tribute to their daughter, who was described as bright, bubbly and wild. Mrs Marshall was informed of Gabrielle's death the next day — a day before her eldest daughter's birthday.

"I saw two men approaching (our house) in suits. I knew they were detectives," she told the court during the sentencing hearing. "I instantly knew something had happened to Gabrielle and my heart just broke."

Mrs Marshall said after the move to Tasmania to get out of a bad relationship, Gabrielle felt the safest she had been and would call every night to say she loved her.

"Just like that she was gone," Mrs Marshall said. "You never think anything like this would happen to your family."

Mrs Marshall said Gabrielle's daughter, who was six at the time, was playing under the deck when the detectives arrived and overheard the conversation. "(She) still sleeps with one of Gabbie's jumpers," Mrs Marshall said.

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Victim's daughter: 'I hate him very much'

Gabrielle's daughter, who continues to live with her grandparents, said it wasn't fair her mother was no longer here.

"When I hug my mummy's jumper at night I get to talk to her," she said in a written statement read to the court. "(She) won't be there to see me finish school. I hate him very much for what he did to my mummy."

The court was told Drake, who is set to be sentenced in December, has a mild intellectual disability and his IQ was in the bottom 0.4 per cent of the population.

Crown prosecutor Linda Mason SC said Drake's motive was "unclear" and he had been exhibiting "sexual behaviours" in the weeks beforehand. She said there were several possible motives including sexual jealousy or desire, or that he entered the house to steal something.

Ms Mason said in the weeks prior Drake had made sexualised comments about women he saw while walking with his carer. He told a carer he was aware a woman lived at the house but had no connection with Gabrielle or her friend.

Friend catches bloodied man in act

Drake left his accommodation in breach of a supervision order some time before 2.30am with two knives wearing several layers of clothing in an attempt to disguise himself.

Gabrielle suffered 17 stab wounds to her neck, arms, hands and neck. Ms Mason said she had tried desperately to defend herself. Gabrielle's friend woke to screams from the lounge room, made sure her two children were in a bedroom and grabbed a knife.

She then saw Drake with blood on his face. "Who the f*** are you?" she said in a Triple-000 call played to the court. "I am one of her boyfriends," Drake replied.

Defence lawyer Greg Barns SC said Drake, who was arrested next day, had indicated to legal advisers he had remorse. Drake, who suffered childhood violence at the hands of his father, also maintained he went to the house to get cigarettes, Mr Barns said.

Mr Marshall said he constantly thinks about what his daughter Gabrielle went through. "Before her death she was the happiest she had ever been," he said.

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