Kylie Ellina Truswell-Mobbs was arrested in April, more than a year after her partner's death.
Share and Follow

A woman allegedly murdered her terminally ill partner soon after he delayed making a decision on legal assisted dying at a palliative care meeting, a judge has heard.

Kylie Ellina Truswell-Mobbs, 50, was arrested on April 3, more than a year after the death of David Ronald Mobbs, 56, at Alexandra Hills, in Brisbane’s southeast, in December 2023.

During a bail application in Queensland Supreme Court today, Justice Glenn Martin heard Mr Mobbs suffered from motor neurone disease, an “aggressive and degenerative” nervous system disorder.

Kylie Ellina Truswell-Mobbs was arrested in April, more than a year after her partner's death.
Kylie Ellina Truswell-Mobbs was arrested in April, more than a year after her partner’s death. (Queensland Police)

Motor neurone disease, also known as MND, is usually terminal within a few years of diagnosis and rapidly damages a person’s ability to walk, talk and eat over time.

Crown prosecutor Sarah Dennis opposed bail and said Truswell-Mobbs was accused of making three attempts to administer a combination of drugs to Mr Mobbs via his feeding tube on the night of December 5, 2023.

“Her conduct was purposeful and determined. It continued over a number of hours through the night … her intent was protracted,” Dennis said.

She alleged Truswell-Mobbs took “matters into her own hands” after a meeting earlier that day concerning Mr Mobbs’ palliative care.

“(Mr Mobbs) indicated in the presence of a number of people that he wished to go on or at least have a further week before he considered his end-of-life options,” Dennis said.

“Despite that, within hours, (Truswell Mobbs) had commenced to administer drugs in order to bring about the end of his life.”

At the time of his death, Mr Mobbs used a signing board to communicate.

Justice Martin heard police would claim Truswell-Mobbs told a close family member and a professional carer that she had given Mr Mobbs a lethal amount of drugs.

Dennis said police had a statement from the carer that claimed Truswell-Mobbs had said she “couldn’t take it anymore”.

Defence barrister Ruth O’Gorman said Truswell-Mobbs should be granted bail as she had no prior criminal record and had not attempted to flee in the year before she was charged.

“It’s not inevitable that the Crown would proceed with the charge of murder against her, or that the jury would convict,” O’Gorman said.

“There are other charges which are or may be open on the evidence; (such as) a charge of aiding suicide.”

O’Gorman said Truswell-Mobbs had been living in the community for 16 months while knowing she was under police investigation but there were no allegations she had interfered with witnesses.

Justice Martin said there was a difference between a person knowing they were under investigation and knowing they had been charged with murder.

“It can be said the prosecution has a substantial amount of evidence that would tend towards conviction,” Justice Martin said.

He refused bail and Truswell-Mobbs is due to have her murder charge mentioned on April 28 in Brisbane Magistrates Court.

Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
PM leads charm offensive as Wallabies clash with Fiji

Prime Minister takes on a friendly approach as Wallabies face off against Fiji

They are neighbours, friends and in many cases family, but now the…
Man hit by police car in Darlinghurst

Police car hits man during response to fight in Sydney

A 35-year-old man was hit after running onto William Street in Darlinghurst…

Devastating floods in Texas lead to 43 fatalities and many children still unaccounted for

Some 43 people, including 15 children, have been confirmed dead following flash…
Concerns grow for former Sydney society 'It' girl and celebrity stylist Kelly Smythe after she was accused of shocking forgery scam

Growing Concern for Celebrity Stylist Kelly Smythe Following Accusations of an Alarming Forgery Scam

Friends of Sydney socialite and stylist Kelly Smythe are growing concerned in…

“Some Australian millionaires avoid paying taxes, but there may be even bigger tax evaders”

Avoiding tax can almost seem like a national sport in Australia, but…

PM denounces synagogue attack as police uncover additional incident

Victoria Police has not declared an arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue…
This flood-hit community needed a miracle to save its rodeo. It found one

This community hit by floods needed a miracle to save its rodeo – and it found one

It’s the annual rodeo that puts the small farming community of Stonehenge,…
Tammy Hembrow leaves fans confused as she's seen wearing her diamond wedding ring following split from husband Matt Zukowski

Tammy Hembrow wears wedding ring after breakup with Matt Zukowski – causing confusion among fans

Tammy Hembrow is heading for divorce after splitting from her husband of…