The distraught family of Ballarat woman Kobie Parfitt are in distress over the punishment meted out to her killer Shannon Jeffrey who wrapped her in plastic and threw her down a mineshaft.
The distressed family of a mother who was killed and thrown down a mineshaft say they feel “helpless and voiceless” as her killer was jailed for at least seven years.
After fatally beating Kobie Parfitt, 42, at her Ballarat home, Shannon Jeffrey hung her body in a wardrobe to make it look like a suicide.
Jeffrey had just been released from prison and was accusing Ms. Parfitt of being locked up.
Shannon Jeffrey (above) was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the death of Kobie Parfitt almost three and a half years ago.
She then enlisted the help of her friend, Brendan Prestage, to wrap Ms Parfitt in plastic and bedding.
The two men drove the body 30 kilometers to Snake Valley and dumped it in a disused mine shaft, covering the remains with earth.
Ms Parfitt’s body remained at the bottom of the mine shaft for eight months until it was found by police in December 2020.
After the murder, Jeffrey told police Ms Parfitt fled to Queensland and took over his victim’s lease.
Ms Parfitt’s family wept in court as Judge Michael Croucher sentenced Jeffrey to the maximum 10 years after the 34-year-old pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
She must spend seven years in prison before being eligible for parole, and she has already served two years of that sentence.
Ms Parfitt’s family said no sentence could bring her home, but expressed disappointment at the prison sentence.
“Today, Shannon Jeffrey got off lightly and our grief remains a life sentence,” they said in a statement.
Judge Croucher described Jeffrey’s behavior after the murder as showing “cruelty and callousness”.
Family members of Kobie Parfitt, killed in December 2020, sobbed in court after hearing the judge sentence Ms Parfitt’s killer.
“This conduct included the first tying up of Ms Parfitt’s body, its subsequent disposal and concealment, and the spread of false rumors about the disappearance,” he said.
“The mere thought of this behavior is horrific for those close to Ms. Parfitt.”
The body of Kobie Parfitt (above) was found at the bottom of a mine shaft by Victorian police, eight months after his death.
Ms Parfitt’s family said these actions caused them further distress and trauma.
“Cowardly silence not only gives rise to the deterioration of evidence, but it prolongs the trauma and distress for us all,” they said.
“We are helpless and voiceless and the trauma and distress continues.”
Jeffrey’s supporters waved and shouted “I love you Shannon” as she was escorted from the dock by guards.
Prestage spent two and a half years in prison after admitting to helping Jeffrey dispose of the body.
He was released in July this year, having already served his sentence.
