A man has admitted to the brutal murder of his wife, whom he stabbed to death before contacting emergency services. This admission comes amid revelations about the couple’s tumultuous relationship prior to the tragic incident.

Chris Hooper, the defense attorney representing Tumaliuan, revealed that the couple had been living separately before the murder, although Tumaliuan continued to visit their shared residence. According to Hooper, on the day of the killing, Tumaliuan used a key to gain entry into the home with the intention of confronting his wife over financial issues.

Disturbingly, CCTV footage documented portions of the horrific event, capturing the victim’s screams as she fled to the backyard. However, the audio fell silent just ten seconds later, leaving much of the attack unseen but chillingly suggested.

During the court proceedings, Hooper acknowledged that Tumaliuan was aware his wife was unarmed at the time of the attack, while he had brought a knife with him, clearly demonstrating a premeditated intent to harm.

Hooper said his client accepted the woman was unarmed, while he had equipped himself with a knife.

“No fault is laid at her feet at all,” he said.

“She was defenceless and there were multiple stab wounds.”

But he said Tumaliuan had not visited the house with murderous intent as he was initially unarmed.

“Circumstances occurred off-camera … where his intention was not to kill, but to cause really serious injury, that’s his position,” Hooper said.

Tumaliuan called triple zero for assistance three times, the court was told.

Prosecutor Nadia Kaddeche said an assault occurred inside the home before the victim ran outside and she could be heard saying she had been hurt.

“There is no desisting from when she goes outside and it (the assault) continues not on camera, around the side of the house,” Kaddeche said.

Justice Amanda Fox indicated to Tumaliuan she would sentence him to up to 26 years behind bars if he pleaded guilty to murder.

He would have to serve 20 years of that sentence before becoming eligible for parole, she said.

Tumaliuan’s sentence will be formally decided following pre-sentence hearings later in the year.

He appeared distressed after hearing the sentence and refused to stand as Justice Fox exited the courtroom on Friday.

However, after discussing the matter with his lawyer, Tumaliuan accepted the sentence indication as he pleaded guilty to one count of murder today.

“Guilty your honour,” he said, as he stood in the court dock.

Tumaliuan’s trial, which was set to begin in early February, was vacated.

He was taken back to prison and will return to court on March 13 for a pre-sentence hearing.