A man who killed his wife on the Gold Coast had been bailed a fortnight ago for an earlier assault on her despite police protests.
David Bradford, 52, took his own life after killing his estranged wife Teresa, 40, while their four children were at their Pimpama home on Tuesday.
He had been charged with four domestic violence offences including choking, assault occasioning bodily harm, deprivation of liberty and common assault for a November 28 incident.
A specialist Gold Coast domestic violence magistrate allowed Bradford to be released on bail after his lawyer argued there was no criminal history, no independent witnesses and Bradford had been in custody for 44 days, News Corp papers said.
Police had objected, saying said he was in a "fragile mental state" and was "an unreasonable risk of causing self-harm or harm towards others".
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Bradford's lawyer Mark Donnelly told the Courier Mail there were "no indications whatsoever that he would do what he did".
"He had accepted the relationship had irretrievably broken down and was accepting of the very restrictive bail conditions that had been imposed, including having no contact with his partner," Mr Donnelly, of Krosen and Co. Lawyers, said.
A family friend said the relationship broke down after Bradford suffered a series of strokes.
"Last year he started having strokes and medical problems and turned on her," Debra Napper told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
The 52-year-old is believed to have broken into the Pimpama home some time before 6.30am on Tuesday.
The children who were in the home at the time of the attack ran to neighbours to raise the alarm.
Both were dead by the time police arrived at the Matas Drive address.
Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath promised to investigate the circumstances behind the decision to grant the man bail.
"If there is any issues to be looked at in relation to bail and court processes, certainly I will seek a brief on that," Ms D'Ath said.
National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.
MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.
