A woman who admitted helping her terminally ill husband end his life has walked free from court to cheers from family and supporters, saying she feels a weight has been lifted from her shoulders.
Kylie Truswell-Mobbs, 52, was originally charged with murdering her husband David Mobbs after allegedly administering a lethal combination of drugs in December 2023.
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In the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday, she pleaded not guilty to murder, but guilty to the alternative charge of assisting suicide, which prosecutors accepted before the murder charge was dismissed.
She was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended immediately due to time already served, meaning she will not spend another day behind bars.
Truswell-Mobbs had faced a potential life sentence over the death of her husband, who died at the couple’s Alexandra Hills home after suffering from aggressive motor neurone disease (MND).
The former firefighter was diagnosed in April 2023 and his condition deteriorated rapidly, with the once-fit 56-year-old eventually unable to walk, move or speak.
By December 5, he could communicate only by blinking, making noises or using a letter board with assistance.
Defence barrister Ruth O’Gorman told the court he was in pain and distressed after losing his independence, including the ability to use the toilet without help.
“That night he begged to die,” she said.
Mobbs was eligible to access voluntary assisted dying, but the defence said he had been told the process would take at least nine days.
After discussions with family and carers, Trusswell-Mobbs gave him a lethal dose of medication at home the following day.
“There was nothing secret about it. It was done with full knowledge of her sons and a number of carers,” O’Gorman said.
Crown prosecutor Caroline Marco accepted the guilty plea, telling the court Truswell-Mobbs had found herself in “exceptionally difficult circumstances”.
Justice Tom Sullivan said it was a challenging case to sentence, given the lack of similar cases and the 14 months she had already spent in custody.
He accepted her actions had been motivated by love and affection and described her as remorseful.
Truswell-Mobbs sobbed in the dock before walking from court surrounded by family and supporters.
Outside, she said she was relieved the case had come to an end.
“I’m just happy it’s all over and I want to thank Andrew and Ruth and my supporters,” she said.
Asked if she felt a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, she replied: “Yeah, lots. It feels good.”
“He was beautiful. He will never ever be forgotten about.”