A teenage girl has recounted enduring physical abuse, including being bitten and burned with a cigarette, by a former private school student while he was on bail for charges involving child abuse material and bestiality. The ex-girlfriend, identified as Ellie, shared her experiences with the Mail about Ethan Ungerboeck, who was 20 when they met in June of the previous year, approximately six months after Australian Federal Police raided a property owned by his family.
Police initiated an investigation into online groups suspected of trading child exploitation material, leading to Ungerboeck being charged with 17 offenses. During their online interactions while playing the video game Fortnite, Ungerboeck alluded to the police raid but did not disclose the specifics of his legal troubles. Their relationship progressed rapidly, with Ungerboeck expressing a preference for solitude and nature over social media. Ellie, who had a history of self-harm and mental health struggles, was drawn to him due to his perceived understanding.
Ellie described the subsequent three weeks as intense, detailing incidents where Ungerboeck bit her severely enough to cause facial numbness and burned her wrist with a cigarette, resulting in an infection. She also reported being made to sleep in his car for extended periods during road trips across Sydney. Ungerboeck had previously pleaded guilty to four domestic violence charges related to his treatment of Ellie. However, his lawyer successfully argued for the dismissal of convictions, citing his ADHD and depression.
Ellie recounted that Ungerboeck often instructed her to enter his parents' affluent Maroubra mansion covertly to avoid CCTV surveillance, indicating he did not want his parents to be aware of her presence. She felt trapped in the relationship, describing it as "too deep" and not knowing how to exit.
Their connection began with a conversation about favorite seasons, where Ungerboeck inferred Ellie's preference for winter was related to her self-harm scars, a deduction that surprised her given her recent hospital discharge for such issues. He admitted to previously engaging in self-harm as well.
Following their initial meeting, Ungerboeck made physical advances. The relationship became physical later that night after he invited her for stargazing. This led to a series of road trips where they slept in his car for days, using a gas stove for meals, as Ungerboeck appeared reluctant to return home. During this period, Ungerboeck's demeanor shifted, becoming increasingly critical and verbally abusive, calling her "slow" when she made mistakes with camping equipment.
Ungerboeck's aggressive behavior escalated when he began biting Ellie impulsively, often while under the influence of alcohol or cannabis. These bites, inflicted on her neck and wrist, left visible marks. The first biting incident occurred at his parents' home while he was high on cannabis. Ellie described feeling afraid and powerless in his presence.
The cigarette burn incident occurred while they were fishing. Ungerboeck, discussing his desire to quit smoking, took her arm and held a cigarette to her inner wrist. He then gave her the cigarette butt, stating it would serve as a reminder for him not to smoke. The burn blistered and became infected after Ungerboeck popped it with a knife against her wishes. This incident prompted Ellie to end the relationship, fearing his violent reactions.
Following her decision to end the relationship, Ellie reported the incidents to the police and obtained an apprehended violence order against Ungerboeck. In October, he was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and common assault. During court proceedings, Ungerboeck's legal representative highlighted his history of mental illness, including bullying experienced at Scots College, and issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which reportedly led to a suicide attempt.
The domestic violence charges were dismissed, with the judge ordering Ungerboeck to adhere to a 12-month treatment plan involving psychiatric appointments and medication. A previous stalking and intimidation charge against another ex-girlfriend was also dismissed earlier in the year, attributed to his ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, depression, and youth. Ungerboeck's child exploitation material charges are scheduled to be heard later this month.