Woman who administered lethal dose 'out of love' spared jail

A south-east Queensland woman who gave her terminally ill husband a lethal drug overdose "out of love and affection" says she "feels good" the case is over, after being handed a suspended sentence.

Kylie Truswell-Mobbs was arrested in 2025, more than a year after the death of David Mobbs.

In December 2023, the 56-year-old, who had an aggressive form of motor neurone disease, was administered a combination of pain killers by his wife and died at their Alexandra Hills home.

Truswell-Mobbs was charged with his murder, but on Monday she pleaded not guilty to that offence in the Supreme Court in Brisbane.

The 52-year-old instead pleaded guilty to the alternative charge of aiding suicide which was accepted by prosecutors.

She was handed a two year-suspended sentence and was free to leave court.

Outside the courthouse, surrounded by family, she said she was "happy" the case was over.

"It feels good,"

she said.

Truswell-Mobbs said she wanted Mr Mobbs to "never ever be forgotten about".

"He was beautiful," she said.

During her sentencing hearing, the court heard in the weeks before Mr Mobbs death, his health had deteriorated significantly.

The court heard he was in severe pain, could not walk or use his arms, was no longer able to speak or eat, and required around the clock care.

On the day he died, the court heard the family had met with palliative care staff about his ongoing treatment and voluntary assisted dying options were discussed.

Later that day, the court heard Mr Mobbs experienced a loss of control of his bowel, which was distressing for him, his family, and carers.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Caroline Marco told the court it was accepted Truswell-Mobbs was facing "exceptional and difficult circumstances" and was acting on Mr Mobbs' wishes to end his life.

She said the "objective seriousness" of the offending had to be weighed against Mr Mobbs' condition at the time, which made her moral culpability "toward the lower end of the spectrum".

"He was approaching the end of his life and suffering considerably," she said.

Ms Marco told the court Truswell-Mobbs actions "arose from compassion" and a "desire to relieve" that suffering.

"Rather than selfish, improper, or ulterior motives,"

she said.

Defence lawyer Ruth O'Gorman KC told the court her client, who had no criminal history, had up until now lived an "entirely blameless life".

She told the court Truswell-Mobbs had been in a relationship with Mr Mobbs for 20 years and she had been described by others as providing him with "extraordinary care" when he suddenly became sick.

"It is uncontentious that she was a devoted carer," she said.

Ms O'Gorman told the court Mr Mobbs "begged his wife" to kill him and his carers and sons knew how he felt.

"It wasn't a hastily made decision by Mr Mobbs … he had been expressing his desire for his life to be over for at least a month," she said.

Ms O'Gorman told the court Truswell-Mobbs also made full admissions to the carers, her sons, and to police at the time, about what she had done.

"There was nothing secretive about it," she said.

Several people were in court to support Truswell-Mobbs including her sons and other family members of Mr Mobbs.

Ms O'Gorman told the court one of Mr Mobbs relatives had said in a letter, which was submitted to the court, "What Kylie did, she did out of love for Dave".

"I thank her for caring more about Dave's wishes than about herself," the letter said.

When delivering her sentence Justice Tom Sullivan told the court it was clear Mr Mobbs was in a "deplorable state".

"He had been very ill for a significant period of time," he said.

"I accept what you did … was motivated by love and affection in your case."

Justice Sullivan took into consideration her early guilty plea and the 14 months she had spent in pre-sentence custody.

He told the court he did not believe she represented any real risk of reoffending in the future.

"You have been a productive member of society, and I have no doubt you will continue to be a productive member of society," he said.