The grieving parents of a woman allegedly murdered by her ex-husband say they feel “cheated” after he took his own life while behind bars.
Troy Armstrong, 36, had been charged with murdering Kristy Armstrong when he allegedly drove his vehicle towards her sedan at 140kmh at Molong, near Orange, in central western New South Wales, on June 9 of the year past.
Kristy died instantly while Armstrong suffered severe brain and spinal injuries that left him unable to walk or go to the bathroom.
The couple’s two daughters, ages eight and 13, were in the back of Kristy’s sedan and suffered minor injuries.
Armstrong had not yet entered a plea when he committed suicide in his cell at the Metropolitan Detention and Reception Center in Silverwater, western Sydney, on June 4.
Kristy (pictured left) and Troy Armstrong, who allegedly killed his wife by ramming her car at high speed.
Kristy’s parents, Peter and Donna Thornell, have said they will be forever haunted by their daughter’s death, as the accident happened just down the street from where they live.
“The detectives came to tell us (Armstrong had died) and my first thought was relief, for the simple fact that the poor witnesses wouldn’t have to relive all these horrible things,” Ms Thornell said. the Daily Telegraph.
“My second thought was, ‘You’re a selfish job.’
“To do it five days before Kristy’s anniversary, he took the easy way out, because there was so much evidence.”
Kristy had filed for a restraining order against her husband.
Kristy’s parents, Donna and Peter Thornell (pictured), said they “felt cheated”. Armstrong took his own life in prison.
Mrs Thornell said Armstrong had acted aggressively towards her daughter for years and kicked her out of the family home in April 2021.
She said that when her daughter asked how she could leave the house, Armstrong responded, “I don’t care if it’s in body bags.”
Kristy eventually took out an AVO against her husband, but her mother said they “mean nothing” and the court order did not stop her from allegedly taking his life.
Mr. and Mrs. Thornell are now raising Kristy’s two children and say they are the reason they wake up every morning.
Police allege Armstrong deliberately crashed his vehicle into Kristy’s sedan while traveling at 80 mph after an argument at their children’s elementary school.
During an unsuccessful bail application last year, Armstrong’s lawyer, Drew Hamilton, told the court he posed little risk to the community as part of his skull had been removed and he could no longer walk.
Police allege Armstrong was driving his ute at speeds of up to 140km/h to cause the crash (pictured)
But police prosecutor Carl Smith said Armstrong was “an extremely dangerous person” who had left his two daughters living in fear, despite their injuries.
“(They) were terrified before this incident, and now they are even more terrified,” Sergeant Smith told the hearing.
“He knew that crashing into a car at 140 km/h was likely to kill his wife, but (also) anyone else in that motor vehicle.”
He had not pleaded guilty at the time of his death and was due to face an inquest hearing on July 11.
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