A Wilmot woman shot and killed her long-term partner, then killed herself, a coroner has found.
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In his findings released on Friday, Coroner Duncan Fairley said Elishka Dawn Johnson, 41, died by suicide after she shot and killed Michael William Dunk, 46, in April, 2015.
Mr Fairley said the couple moved to Tasmania in 2005, and had been regarded as separated when they were found deceased at a property on Wilmot Road.
He said Ms Johnson discovered Mr Dunk had been having an affair and arranged for him to visit her at the Wilmot Road property on April 8, 2015.
Two days later Mr Dunk was found dead by members of the Black Uhlans Motorcycle Club, who had become worried after Mr Dunk, a club member, had not been seen in days.
“Subsequent forensic examinations identified a quantity of Mr Dunk’s blood on Ms Johnson’s boots,” Mr Fairley said.
“[a Boito Reuna 12-gauge shotgun] was found next to two spent 12 gauge cartridges.
“The shotgun was one of three firearms registered to Ms Johnson.
“No fingerprints other than those of Ms Johnson were located on the [firearm] safe.”
A forensic examination showed Mr Dunk had been fatally shot in the head and abdomen.
Mr Fairley said either or both of the wounds would have been fatal.
Ms Johnson had sought help for significant depressive symptoms in 2014, and had been taking anti-depressant medications prior to her death.
Mr Fairley said Ms Johnson disapproved of Mr Dunk’s decision to join the Black Uhlans Motorcycle Club, and begrudged the amount of time he spent associating with club members.
“I find that Ms Johnson acted with the express intention of ending her own life,” Mr Fairley said.
“I am satisfied no other person contributed to the cause of death.”
Mr Fairley said Ms Johnson’s co-workers recalled she had seemed unwell when she left work on April 8.
He said they did not regard her behavior as unusual, given Ms Johnson had ongoing issues with chronic migraines.
“[The forensic pathologist] did not observe any overt signs of trauma on the body of Ms Johnson,” Mr Fairley said.
“Ms Johnson’s diary includes an entry on [April 8] which reads ‘Mick due after work’.
“The diary entry for 12 April, 2015, a reminder regarding a social softball game, has been crossed out.”
Mr Fairley concluded a public inquest would be unlikely to elicit new information about the deaths.
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