Ethan Midgley charged with murder after woman shot dead on Gold Coast

Ethan Midgley charged with murder after woman shot dead on Gold Coast

A 23-year-old man has been charged with murder after a woman was shot dead during an alleged domestic violence incident on the Gold Coast on Sunday, 29 June 2026.

Ethan Midgley, 23, faces one count of murder (domestic violence) and one charge of unlawful possession of a category H weapon used to commit an indictable offence (domestic violence). He was due to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on Monday, 30 June 2026, but did not appear in person. Midgley has been remanded in custody, and the matter has been adjourned to next month.

Emergency services were called to a home on Loder Street in Biggera Waters at approximately 8pm on Sunday following reports that a woman had sustained life-threatening gunshot injuries. The victim, identified as 23-year-old Mallorie Jane (also referred to as Mallorie Roberts), was declared dead at the scene.

Queensland Police Detective Acting Inspector Leia Urquhart stated that police recovered a homemade firearm from the residence, which they believe was used in the shooting. Urquhart noted that Midgley and Jane were believed to be in a de facto relationship and lived together in the unit. Police have urged the public to provide any further information regarding the couple's relationship.

The incident was reported by a neighbor, Sharon Burgess, who told reporters she heard a commotion coming from the neighboring house. Burgess described the scene as very confronting. According to reports, a man exited the unit stating he needed an ambulance, at which point Burgess called triple-0 and performed CPR on the victim using instructions provided by the emergency operator over the phone.

Queensland Police confirmed that no other people were injured and there was no threat to the public. Mallorie Jane had a two-year-old son, Tyson, from a previous relationship. Police and reports confirm the child was not at the address at the time of the shooting and is not related to Midgley.

In the aftermath, Jane's mother, Felicity, posted a message to Facebook expressing her heartache and love for her beautiful daughter. Neighbors in the apartment complex expressed shock at the violence. One local source claimed to have recently warned Jane's father about a series of disturbances at the apartment; the source alleged that Jane's father responded by saying she needed to get the riff-raff out of her life.

Friends of the victim, including Tiffany Swann and Courtney Martin, remembered Jane as a kind, selfless person and a great mother, great friend and great daughter who always put others' interests first. Haylee Harris, a close friend, has launched a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral costs and support for Tyson.

The Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Alliance (QDFVA) issued a statement offering condolences to the family. CEO Melanie Arnost said,

"A young woman's life has been taken, and with it, a future full of possibility."

Melanie Arnost, CEO of QDFVA, via statement

Midgley remains in custody pending his court appearance next month.