Murder of Iris Temperley
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Iris Temperley | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 March 1927 Springsure, Queensland, Australia |
| Died | 3 February 2010 (aged 82) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Cause of death | Homicide (bashing) |
| Spouse | Gordon Temperley (1949-2004; his death) |
| Children | 5 |
Iris Daphne Temperley (née Donovan; 2 March 1927 – 3 February 2010) was an Australian woman who was murdered in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.[1]
18-year-old David Samuel Aubrey Ray randomly attacked and raped 82-year-old Temperley in the backyard of her home in George Street in the suburb of Rockhampton City on the morning of 26 January 2010.[2] He inflicted extensive injuries to Temperley in the particularly violent attack, which caused considerable anger within the Rockhampton community.[1][3]
Temperley died from her injuries at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital on 3 February 2010 without having regained consciousness.[4][5]
Temperley was born Iris Daphne Donovan at Springsure, Queensland on 2 March 1927.[6] She married Gordon Temperley on 1 December 1949 at St Paul's Cathedral in Rockhampton, and together they had five children.[6]
After spending some time managing a cattle property north of Duaringa, the Temperley's moved to Rockhampton in 1959 and purchased a house in George Street where the family settled.[6]
At the time of her death, Temperley had 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.[5]
Murder
Temperley was raking leaves in the backyard of her George Street home when she was set upon by Ray who used a fire extinguisher in the attack, causing Temperley to sustain extensive injuries including skull swelling, broken nose, fractured ribs, fractured sternum, collapsed lung, and tearing to her genitals, causing profuse bleeding.[1]
Ray attacked Temperley after having stolen alcohol from the Leichhardt Hotel in Bolsover Street, and before committing a burglary at a neighbouring house.[1]
Temperley was admitted to the intensive care unit at Rockhampton Hospital in a critical condition before being flown to Brisbane, where she died from her injuries on 3 February 2010.[7][1]
After Temperley's death, a public memorial was held at St Paul's Cathedral, which was attended by more than 100 people.[4]
Member for Rockhampton Robert Schwarten said that Temperley's death had affected the Rockhampton community, stating: "Disbelief, revulsion, anger and fear has riled through this community."[4]
Arrest
On 27 January 2010, Ray attended the Rockhampton Police Station with a relative where he admitted to assaulting an elderly lady but claimed to be having difficulty remembering specific details.[2]
He was arrested and ultimately charged with murder and rape as well as stealing and property offences.[2]
After a mention in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court in September 2010, a committal hearing was scheduled for November 2010.[8] Following the three-day committal hearing, magistrate Annette Hennessy ordered Ray to stand trial for the rape and murder of Iris Temperley.[9]