MEDIA RELEASE: Call for Coronial Inquest into the death of Aboriginal woman, Kardell Lomas

Written By The Violet Co Team

20 November 2025

For release: Kardell Lomas | high-risk serial serious offender |Aboriginal woman | Domestic violence 

Our nation is looking for answers on how to prevent the homicides of women and children in domestic violence situations. With one woman killed every 8 days - the crisis of men’s violence against women remains ever present. On top of that Aboriginal women are 7 times more likely to be killed by their partners. We need solutions, effective prevention and response.

The case of Kardell Lomas can be a flashpoint for Australia to think again about how to prevent men killing women.

Kardell, a Kamilaroi Aboriginal woman, mother of two and 7 months pregnant, was brutally killed by her partner Traven Fisher. After death she was dumped in the boot of an abandoned car.

The catch - Traven Fisher was an incredibly dangerous man, known to the justice system. He had previously been imprisoned for raping a 2 year old child, harming other children and was categorised as a serious offender.

In the 10 months leading up to her death Kardell accessed QLD services and police 24 times. She presented with visible injuries, often accompanied by the controlling and aggressive Traven Fisher. Police and services knew about the violence, and the risk the Fisher posed - she disclosed and asked for help. They categorised her as “high risk” and then did nothing. Within a year of entering a relationship Kardell and her unborn child had been killed. No one helped. No real police investigation into domestic violence. No inquest.

Violet Co Legal & Consulting represents Mr Adair Lomas, Kardell’s brother. Mr Lomas has made an application to the QLD Coroner’s Court and QLD Attorney-General for an inquest into his sister’s death.

Call for QLD and Federal government response

  • Calls for the QLD Attorney-General to use her power under the Coroners Act 2003 (QLD), to direct the State Coroner to hold a Coronial inquest into the death of Ms Lomas.

  • Calls for the Prime Minister and First Ministers, Attorney-Generals, Ministers for Police and Ministers for Women to implement urgent prevention strategies to prevent high-risk, serial, serious offenders from killing their partners and children. 

Coroner’s non-inquest findings

The QLD Coroner has published non-inquest findings in this matter. They have been de-identified (against Mr Lomas’ wishes) and a non-publication order is in place for naming the services that failed to help and protect Kardell. The family has had no involvement in the Coronial process, is highly critical of the findings, and Mr Lomas is calling for a full inquest to be held.

Other reporting on Kardell Lomas’ case 

Quotes for use - Adair Lomas (brother of Kardell Lomas deceased)

“For years after, Kardell’s death didn’t sit well with me. It felt like the system had failed her. We need an inquest to understand the circumstances of her death, how the system let her down and failed to prevent her death” 

“I believe that if police and services had responded properly they could have prevented Kardell’s death”

“The whole system, police, court services and others failed to protect my sister and prevent her being killed. If these failures are publicised, it will drive accountability.”

“When I watched the police bodycam footage, I saw the police treat Traven Fisher like he was the victim and Kardell like she was the criminal. Police aren’t supposed to be on the side of the person committing the violence, they’re supposed to protect women like my sister.” 

“What if Kardell was white? What would have happened? I think the police and the system would have taken her seriously. There’s racism getting in the way of supporting and protecting a victim of domestic violence”

Quotes for use - Karen Iles, Lawyer for Adair Lomas 

“There is much (unfortunately) to be learnt from Kardell’s death. Systems that were designed to prevent violence, and support victims have astronomically failed. Lessons can be learnt through an inquest - not just for Aboriginal women in QLD but for all women. We are calling on the QLD Attorney-General to grant an inquest.”

“This is not an isolated case, or just a Queensland case. Police and services are routinely failing to take the most basic steps to prevent domestic violence and keep women and their children safe. Too often we hear of victims calling police and services for help - only to get none or to make the violence worse. This is unacceptable and our political leaders need to bring in urgent change.”

“First Nations women and children are overrepresented as victims of homicide, domestic violence and sexual assault. Yet police often do not investigate these crimes and make First Nations women and children out to be the perpetrator. They victim blame and fail to do their job - to protect every Australian from violence and harm.”

“Police and services must have a duty of care towards victims of domestic violence. We need to enshrine minimum expectations into legislation and ensure that when complaints are made about failings we don’t have police investigating police. This is a pretty basic community expectation. We need politicians to act.”

Images for use

Professional photos of Adair Lomas and Karen Iles can be supplied on request. All photos by Carly Earl @ the Guardian

Contact

Karen Iles, Principal Solicitor Violet Co Legal & Consulting

0412 462 646 or 1300 846 538

karen.iles@violetco.com.au or office@violetco.com.au 

About Karen Iles

Karen Iles is a leading solicitor and public advocate dedicated to addressing systemic failures in police accountability and legal responses to domestic and family and sexual violence. She is the founder of her own legal practice Violet Co, an Adjunct Professor of Practice at the School of Law and Justice at the University of Newcastle and the founder of the Make Police Investigate campaign. She is a Dharug Aboriginal woman.

Adair Lomas. Photo by Carly Earl @ the Guardian

The Violet Co Team
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