Sunday, December 22, 2024

Breakthrough discovery at home of man who allegedly shot dead woman in car

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A gun believed to have been used to murder Mackay woman Natalie Frahm has been found at the home of her accused killer.

And while the motive for her slaying remains a mystery, police have declined to refute speculation that Frahm had filmed Ryan Geoffrey Cole allegedly abusing his partner before he allegedly fatally shot her last Wednesday.

Three guns were allegedly found on Cole’s Robb Pl property, where he lived next door to 34-year-old Frahm, in South Mackay after days of searches, police revealed on Monday.

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They were allegedly an inoperable homemade rifle, an air rifle and a .22 calibre pistol, the latter of which is believed to have been used by Cole to shoot Frahm while she was in a car in her driveway.

The pistol matches those described by witnesses, including 66-year-old James McGill, who was also allegedly shot by Cole as he came to Frahm’s aid, but survived, according to Detective Acting Superintendent Emma Novosel.

“Preliminary advice from forensic examinations and ballistic experts lead police to believe this is the weapon used to fatally wound Natalie Frahm and injure James McGill,” Novosel said on Monday.

“Investigations are ongoing into the origin of the pistol and how it (allegedly) came to be in the possession of the defendant.”

None of the weapons were registered, she said.

It was revealed last week that Cole had his firearms licence revoked and guns removed from his possession in 2021 due to concerns over his conduct.

Novosel said CCTV footage and information from the public had been helping investigators piece together Cole’s “movements” in the lead-up to the alleged shootings.

Ryan Geoffrey Cole, 31, was arrested at a service station over the alleged shooting murder.
Ryan Geoffrey Cole, 31, was arrested at a service station over the alleged shooting murder. Credit: 7NEWS
Mackay woman Natalie Frahm was allegedly shot dead in her driveway.
Mackay woman Natalie Frahm was allegedly shot dead in her driveway. Credit: Supplied

She reiterated that police believed he and Frahm had not had any contact before the alleged shooting, when she was asked about claims Frahm had filmed him allegedly abusing his partner.

“Investigations to date indicate that Natalie and the defendant in this matter had had no contact previously,” Novosel said.

“So I’m unable to take that question any further.”

Cole allegedly fled the scene before he was arrested at a service station about two hours after the incident.

Cole remains behind bars on charges of murder and attempted murder ahead of his matter being mentioned in Mackay Magistrates Court in July.

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