Mallorie Jane Roberts is remembered by her family and friends as a “deeply loved” young mother who had a “beautiful heart” and “kind spirit”.
The 23-year-old woman was allegedly shot dead by her partner, 23-year-old Ethan Midgley, at her home in the Gold Coast suburb of Biggera Waters in Queensland on Sunday evening.
Midgley has been charged with one count of murder (domestic violence) and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon used to commit an indictable offence.
Mallorie Roberts suffered life-threatening gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene, according to a police statement.
Queensland Police Detective Acting Inspector Leia Urquhart said they were believed to be in a de facto relationship and were living together. Roberts had a child who was not at home at the time she was allegedly shot by Midgley.
“Mallorie leaves behind her precious son, Tyson, a loving sister, and a family whose lives have been changed forever,” a friend, Haylee Harris wrote on a GoFundMe page.
“She was deeply loved and will be remembered for her beautiful heart, kind spirit, and the love she had for those around her.”
The GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to cover funeral expenses, the immediate needs of her son Tyson and to support her family in the coming weeks.
“Rest peacefully, beautiful Mallorie. You will always be loved, remembered, and never forgotten,” Harris wrote.
Roberts is the 34th Australian woman killed this year, according to Sherele Moody’s Australian Femicide Watch.
On social media, her mother wrote: “I love you I want to hold you and not let you go my beautiful sweetheart my beautiful daughter.”
In Australia, two in 5 women (39%) have experienced violence since the age of 15 and on average, one woman is killed every 9 days by a current or former partner.
According to research released in 2024, one in four men in Australia aged 18 to 45 say they have used physical and/or sexual violence against an intimate partner.
The latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the number of offenders proceeded against by police for family and domestic violence-related offences rose by 8 per cent in the past year.
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call 000.
For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.
For information on Men’s Behaviour Change Programs operating in your local area, contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.