BREAKING: MAN IDENTIFIED AFTER ALLEGEDLY STABBING GIRLFRIEND BEFORE FIERY TASMANIA CRASH THAT TOOK NURSE ELAINE GEE’S L!FE
The Perth man who stabbed his girlfriend multiple times in a domestic violence attack minutes before he was involved in a fiery crash that killed an innocent nurse has been identified.
Keith Mitton, 42, is the Landsdale man who stabbed his girlfriend of six months at a property in the Tasmanian suburb of Exeter on Friday afternoon.
The father of one then continued his rampage by fleeing the stabbing scene in a hired blue Skoda before colliding head-on with another car on the West Tamar Highway, which critically injured Tasmanian nurse Elaine Gee.
Ms Gee, a 39-year-old mother of two, died from her injuries in hospital on Sunday, with her loved ones revealing she had been on her way home from work at Launceston Hospital.
The stabbing victim, named as Sarah in an online fundraiser, has survived and remains in a stable condition at Launceston General Hospital.
Mitton was killed in the crash after the Skoda burst into flames. NO
Mitton was killed in the crash after the Skoda burst into flames.
Tasmania Police Detective Inspector Stuart Greenwood previously said officers received reports that the hire car was driving erratically prior to the collision.
The West has confirmed that Mitton had been living in Landsdale for several years before making his way to Tasmania with his new partner last week.
Det. Insp. Greenwood said the pair were on a “family trip”.
“The investigation so far revealed that the two parties involved, who are who are known to each other, have been in a relationship for approximately six months,” he said.
“They are in Tasmania visiting family and staying at that (Exeter) address.
“Police and emergency services arrived shortly after the stabbing incident, and it was only a matter of moments, quite literally minutes, and the crash was called in.”
Det. Insp. Greenwood said two children of the stabbing victim were home at the time of the attack, but did not see the violence.
“The woman involved in the stabbing incident, she managed to make a phone call to triple-0. She was then immediately assisted by a family member who returned to the scene, who completed the call and notified police,” he said.
Tasmanian MP Jess Greene shared a statement on behalf of the the stabbing victim’s family late Thursday, stating her two daughters were exposed to “traumatic events”.
“Her family is profoundly grateful she survived, but she faces a long physical and emotional recovery,” she said.
Family of woman stabbed by partner before fatal crash that killed Elaine Gee speaks out, shares horror details
Tasmania crash: WA man stabs partner before colliding with car, killing himself and beloved nurse Elaine Gee
“Sarah’s two young daughters were exposed to traumatic events no child should ever have to experience. Their safety, wellbeing and recovery remain the family’s highest priority.
“The family also wishes to acknowledge the devastating loss suffered by the family of Elaine Gee. Elaine was a beloved wife, mother, friend and dedicated nurse whose death has left an immeasurable void.”
The statement said the victim’s family “hopes this tragedy serves as a reminder of the devastating and far-reaching impact of family violence, and of the importance of supporting victim-survivors and their children.”
“The family is deeply grateful for the compassion, support and generosity shown by the community.
“Those acts of kindness are helping provide stability and hope during an extraordinarily difficult time.”
A GoFundMe has been created to support Sarah and her children.
A separate fundraiser launched to support Ms Gee’s family had raised more than $216,000 on Wednesday night.
Her husband, Rodney, posted to Facebook on Sunday afternoon announcing his wife’s death two days after she was admitted to Royal Hobart Hospital with critical injuries.
Elaine Gee. NO
“Today I have to write something I never imagined I would,” he said.
“This afternoon I had so say forever goodbye to my best friend and beautiful wife, Elaine. This afternoon the boys had to say goodbye to their amazing mum.
“There are no clever words for it. This entire situation is just completely unacceptable, unfair and crap, and this is without question the worst day of our families’ lives.
“So please, it is now going to take all of us — family, friends, teachers, the local community and everyone who knew and loved Elaine — to help me make the good boys we have raised together to become the great men she knew they could be.
“Tell them the stories. Remind them who their mum was. Pull them into line when they need it, and stand beside them when life gets hard.
“I can be their dad, but no one can ever replace their mum.
“We will always love you babe.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.
