Wife Stabbed to Death by Husband in Front of Children

Rimoni Muliaga was sentenced to 24 years in prison, with an 18-and-a-half-year non-parole period, for murdering his wife, Lise Muliaga, in Melton South, Melbourne, on September 18, 2023. The couple's three young children witnessed the horrific event, which occurred shortly after their family relocated from New Zealand. Muliaga had accused his wife of infidelity, a belief he harboured despite it being unfounded. The fatal assault involved four stab wounds, including a 9.5cm stab to the chest that proved lethal. Lise Muliaga sustained defensive wounds trying to ward off the attack.

During the trial, Muliaga admitted to the stabbing but contested his intent. Justice Gorton found that Muliaga intended to cause serious injury, regardless of the outcome. The judge noted the attack was spontaneous and unprovoked, but the fact that children witnessed their mother's death was an aggravating circumstance. Muliaga, who has an IQ of 61 and a history of mental health issues including depression and prior diagnoses of schizophrenia, was found to have a reduced moral culpability but was still deemed to understand his actions were wrong. He has served 919 days in pre-sentence detention and is expected to face deportation upon release.