A father of four has been sentenced to 26 years in prison for the brutal stabbing death of his estranged wife, Czarina Gatbonton Tumaliuan, in her own backyard in Melbourne. Jessie James Tumaliuan, 41, received a non-parole period of 20 years. He has already served 454 days of his sentence.
Justice Amanda Fox of the Supreme Court of Victoria condemned Tumaliuan's actions, describing the attack as ruthless and cowardly. "Czarina was in her own home where she was entitled to feel safe. She was unarmed, defenceless, and terrified," Justice Fox stated. The court heard that Ms. Tumaliuan had obtained a family violence intervention order against her husband, which he blatantly ignored.
Tumaliuan murdered his 42-year-old estranged wife in March of the previous year. He had initially intended to plead not guilty but accepted the judge's indicated sentence after pleading guilty to the charge. The attack occurred shortly after Ms. Tumaliuan had dropped their children at a nearby primary school.
On the day of the murder, Tumaliuan used a key to enter his estranged wife's home, intending to confront her about financial matters. CCTV footage captured Ms. Tumaliuan's screams as she attempted to flee into the backyard, but the recording went silent after approximately ten seconds. Neighbors reportedly heard her screams.
Justice Fox indicated that Tumaliuan's motives appeared to stem from financial grievances, contempt for the legal system, and anger over his ex-partner's ability to live independently. Ms. Tumaliuan, who was described on her Facebook page as a "supermum" juggling motherhood and business, often encouraged other women to pursue their dreams despite struggles.
During a pre-sentence hearing, Tumaliuan's 14-year-old son testified about the devastating impact of his father's actions, telling the court, "Now there is a big empty space in our hearts that cannot be fixed." He described his mother as a role model and a source of comfort. Justice Fox acknowledged that Ms. Tumaliuan's family had been shattered and traumatized by the murder, calling it another example of violence committed by a man against a former partner who had left him.
The court heard that Tumaliuan arrived at the home unannounced and forced his way inside. He verbally abused Ms. Tumaliuan, threatened her with a belt, and demanded money. Despite her attempts to escape through a rear sliding door, Tumaliuan overpowered her. A triple-0 operator reportedly heard Tumaliuan make derogatory remarks moments before the stabbing. In a frenzied attack lasting about ten seconds, he inflicted eight stab wounds to her neck, head, chest, abdomen, and arms, causing rapid death from catastrophic blood loss.
Tumaliuan then dragged his wife's body back to the rear door, hid the knives, and called emergency services. He was arrested at the scene. The couple, who married in the Philippines before migrating to Australia in 2014, had a history of domestic violence, with Ms. Tumaliuan having suffered serious injuries requiring hospital treatment and multiple intervention orders being issued and repeatedly breached by Tumaliuan.
His legal representative stated that Tumaliuan had no explanation for the attack. It is expected that Tumaliuan will be deported to the Philippines upon his release from prison.