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Social Worker Killed While Fleeing Abuser
27 Sep
Summary
- A social worker was fatally stabbed by her partner while trying to leave him.
- The victim was 12 weeks pregnant at the time of the attack.
- The perpetrator received a 25-year sentence for the murder.
A heartbroken mother is raising her two grandsons after her daughter, Michelle Darragh, a 32-year-old social worker, was murdered by her partner, Ben Coman, also 34. Michelle was 12 weeks pregnant when Coman brutally attacked her with a 20cm blade, severing her spinal cord as she attempted to leave him.
Michelle had endured years of her partner's controlling behavior, financial abuse, and infidelity. Despite these issues, she repeatedly gave him chances, hoping for the family life she valued. Their relationship was marked by Coman's demands for constant knowledge of her whereabouts and his attempts to isolate her.
Further betrayals included Coman stealing £40,000 saved for a house deposit. After a brief separation, Michelle discovered her third pregnancy. Coman pressured her to have an abortion and later attempted suicide when she refused. They agreed to separate, and Michelle moved in with her parents to collect her belongings.
During this collection, Coman attacked Michelle, stabbing her multiple times. He then turned the knife on himself but survived. Coman was subsequently jailed for 25 years with a non-parole period of 20 years. Michelle's mother now advocates for awareness of domestic violence signs.
