In a rare public interview,Tyrone Thompson's former partner has spoken out for the first time about the relationship that preceded his 15-year-and-six-month jail sentence for murdering his ex-girlfriend Mackenzie Anderson. Speaking on condition of anonymity to Seven's new podcast Kiss and Kill, the mother of Thompson's child detailed a pattern of escalating abuse and her desperate attempts to stop him before he killed another woman.
The couple met roughly five years before the murder. Thompson initially presented as charming, butafter they moved in together, the abuse began. His behaviour deteriorated into constant criticism about her appearance and the way she did things. When she attempted to end the relationship, Thompson attacked her car with a hammer. "I was terrified, like terrified to break it off," she said in the interview.
Thompson had physically abused her for months and breached an apprehended violence order eight times. Despite these violations and a pattern of escalating violence, he remained a significant threat. When his attention shifted to Anderson, the young woman herself recognised the danger and reached out to Thompson's former partner, sending a photo showing two black eyes and asking questions about his behaviour.
Police were called following that contact, but the system ultimately failed to prevent the tragedy.Thompson breached the apprehended domestic violence order by tracking down Mackenzie's location and breaking into her home while on parole, stabbing her 78 times. She died while on the phone to police begging for help.
"I did everything in my power to stop it from happening," Thompson's ex-partner said in her interview. The burden of having witnessed warning signs, reported concerns, and ultimately watched another woman become a victim has clearly weighed heavily on her. Yet even from prison, Thompson continues to pose a threat.He has sent letters and made threats to his former partner from his cell, forcing her to contemplate relocating. "I'd probably have to move because, yeah, I just... Very scary, scary thought," she said.
The case raises uncomfortable questions about how effectively Australia's domestic violence prevention systems respond to known perpetrators.Thompson had an apprehended domestic violence order against him and killed Anderson just 16 days after breaching it. His victim had taken protective steps; the system had been alerted. Yet a young mother paid the ultimate price.
The judge at sentencing stated he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Thompson had intended to kill Anderson.Thompson will be eligible for parole in March 2038, by which stage his daughter will be 18. For his former partner and for Anderson's family, those nearly two decades remain a grim calculation of justice delayed.
The podcast series Kiss and Kill is available on 7PLUS as a vodcast and on LiSTNR as a podcast. For those affected by domestic violence, White Ribbon Australia and Beyond DV offer support and resources.