Finding into death of Joanne Elizabeth Howell

51y · Female·head injury in a woman with evidence of ligature strangulation

Joanne Elizabeth Howell, a 51-year-old woman, died on 21 April 2007 from head injury sustained in conjunction with ligature strangulation. The coroner found on the balance of probabilities that the deceased's de facto partner, Mr Paul Charlton, caused or contributed to her death. The relationship had become volatile with frequent arguments; on the morning of her death, Ms Howell asked Mr Charlton to move out within one month. Evidence indicated she expressed fear of his anger. A loud thud was heard in her unit between 9.00-9.30pm. The coroner noted the narrow window of opportunity for an unidentified third party to commit the crime and the absence of any evidence of theft or struggle, favouring the conclusion that the fatal injuries resulted from the breakdown of the relationship with Mr Charlton. The finding emphasises the seriousness of domestic relationship breakdown and associated risks.