Rex Martinich
The partner of an NRL cheerleader who fell to her death from a high-rise balcony was abusive and tried to access her bank account following the tragedy, a coroner has heard.
Breeana Elaine Stewart Robinson’s family feared the 21-year-old died from “third-party intervention”, a pre-inquest conference was told.
The “obvious suspect” was the last person to see the Gold Coast Titans cheerleader alive – her then-partner, Jayden Daniel Moorea – counsel assisting, Kim Bryson, said on Tuesday.
The family has challenged Moorea’s account of Robinson’s final moments before she plunged from an 11th-storey Gold Coast balcony on January 29, 2013, the coroner was told.
“The family hold concerns that she did not take her own life and there was third-party intervention,” Bryson told Deputy State Coroner Donald MacKenzie in Brisbane on Tuesday.
Moorea, formerly known as Dan Shearin, was charged in 2019 with murdering Robinson, and was committed to stand trial after pleading not guilty.
All charges against him were dropped in 2023.
Robinson was living at the unit after resuming a relationship with Moorea that previously ended over him lying about his age and sending abusive messages, MacKenzie heard.
A police search of their electronic devices allegedly uncovered evidence of more domestic abuse, the coroner was told.
“What was seen was an excessive number of both abusive and derogatory text messages sent by Mr Moorea to Ms Robinson,” Bryson said.
“Those messages seemed to demonstrate their relationship featured significant emotional abuse, coercive control, stalking and surveillance-type behaviours.”
Moorea had multiple domestic violence protection orders taken out against him before and after Robinson’s death, MacKenzie heard.
“In the days following Breeana’s death, there is evidence to suggest Mr Moorea attempted to access her bank account and superannuation,” Bryson said.
Moorea told police the last time he saw Robinson, she had already made her way over the balcony’s railings after spending time alone and feeling down in a spare bedroom.
“When he realised Breeana was no longer in the spare bedroom, he says he looked out on the balcony and saw Breeana up and over the railing and in mid-flight,” Bryson said.
“He said it was like she launched herself off the balcony, and he noticed a chair next to the railing, and that chair was observed by forensic officers.”
Robinson “appeared happy and future-oriented” to friends and family on the day she died, including at a dance class that morning, MacKenzie heard.
Her mother attended Tuesday’s pre-inquest conference via video link.
MacKenzie ordered an inquest be held from October 19, with up to 10 days of hearings.
If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 13 11 14, Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491, or beyondblue 1300 22 4636.
AAP
From our partners
Read the full article here
