Charges laid against a man accused of shooting a mother in her driveway have suddenly be suspended.
Natalie Jane Frahm, 34, was allegedly shot in the the head and chest by her neighbour Ryan Geoffrey Cole, 31, outside her house on Robb Place, South Mackay in central Queensland on June 19.
Ms Frahm died at the scene while Mr Cole fled before police later found him about 7.45pm outside a service station on the Bruce Highway 2km away.
Now the case has been put on hold for a six-month adjournment and it could take up to two years before it reaches a conclusion, a court heard on Tuesday.
Police allege Mr Cole shot Ms Frahm in front of her daughters, aged 11 and 12, who were all sitting in a car about to head to a sporting event at the time of the incident.
The two girls immediately got out of the car and ran towards James Trevor McGill, 66, who was nearby visiting his 89-year-old mother in the same street.
It is alleged Mr Cole also shot Mr McGill in the chest as he tried to intervene and he was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Mr Cole has been charged with Ms Frahm’s murder and the attempted murder of Mr McGill but he has yet to enter a plea.
Natalie Jane Frahm, 34, was allegedly fatally shot in the the head and chest by her Mackay neighbour Ryan Geoffrey Cole
Mr Cole’s case has been suspended pending a mental health assessment
Mr Cole’s barrister Kate Juhasz told Mackay Magistrates Court that the case had been referred to the Mental Health Court in Brisbane, reports the Courier Mail.
‘All charges are suspended until that is resolved,’ Ms Juhasz told the court.
A psychiatric report has already been supplied and another one being sought, she added.
Once the court has both reports the matter will again proceed.
Magistrate Patricia Kirkman-Scroope said the court had not yet received a copy of the notice of suspension but was advised she would receive one later in the day.
The Mental Health Court process could take 12 months to two years to be completed, Prosecutor Ruth Whisker told the court.
An extension has also been requested regarding the police brief of evidence against Mr Cole as DNA testing was still being processsed by authorities.
There was no indication how long that might take.
It is alleged that Mr Cole murdered the young mother in front of her two daughters, aged 11 and 12
The Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group previously travelled to Mackay to help provide support to Ms Frahm’s shattered family.
Daily Mail Australia revealed earlier that Ms Frahm moved to Mackay several years ago from her hometown Mount Isa, located 1,230 km west in outback Queensland.
Her family are well known within the small town, where they run local businesses.
A neighbour said at the time that she was shocked by the chain of events, saying she frequently saw Mr Cole in the street.
He seemed like a good style of a man. He would always drive past and smile… [What allegedly happened] is all very sad,’ she said.
Police previously said there was nothing to suggest Mr Cole and Ms Frahm were known to each other prior to the alleged murder.
The brief of evidence has been extended until June 30, 2026.
Mr Cole’s case will be next be mentioned by the court in early December.
