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Marcus Rappel has been sentenced to 32 years in jail for murdering his ex-partner Tara Costigan with an axe.
Tara was breastfeeding their week-old baby when Rappel stormed the house.
Marcus Rappel has been sentenced to 32 years
She’d taken out an interim DVO against him just the day before after she’d grown concerned by his abuse.
He bought an axe from Bunnings, which he said he intended to use to smash up his furniture.
Rappel instead swung the axe into her neck, the force of the blow causing her to fall face-first onto the laundry floor as she held her newborn daughter.
Tara’s teenage sister and her boyfriend were injured when they tried to stop him.
Her family think the sentence is too lenient as a 26-year non-parole period means Rappel will be eligible for release in 2041.
Tara’s heartbroken mother, Trish Fuller said it’s not enough: “It should be life, he should never be set free. Never, never.”
Outside court, her uncle Michael Costigan said the sentence didn’t bring him peace:
“Tara is still dead,” he said. “There are no winners today.”
Another uncle, Christopher Costigan, agrees:
“Almost two years ago all the friends and family and community who knew and loved Tara, we received a life sentence.
“No parole, no get out jail card. He deserves the same. He deserves to never walk the streets again.”
