Former police officer Louis James Mahony has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his de facto partner in the south-western Queensland town of Charleville in 2009.
The Supreme Court in Toowoomba heard that Mahony, 44, killed his longtime partner Laine Coldwell, but told police she had fallen from a tree while taking down party lights.
Ms Coldwell was taken to hospital with a severe head injury on August 23, 2009, and died two days later.
Mahony was arrested in 2015 for her murder.
After retiring this morning, a jury returned at 3:30pm on Monday afternoon to hand down a guilty verdict.
Justice James Douglas then sentenced Mahony to life in jail.
Mahoney will not be eligible for parole for at least another 13 years.
During the three-week trial, witnesses told the court Mahony was having an affair at the time of the murder and had taken out two insurance policies against his partner.
Ms Coldwell's niece Georgia Grant spoke outside court after the verdict, saying it was an important day for the family.
"The result today marks the beginning of our long journey towards healing, and finally allowing us to mourn and grieve for this beautiful woman," she said.
"We hope that we can now be part of Laine Coldwell daughter's life — we have had little contact since her death."
The family thanked many people for their support, including Sergeant Gerry Fullerton from Morven police, east of Charleville.
"[He] has devoted the past eight years to ensure we have justice for Lainie, for this case would have remained cold and justice not served," Ms Grant said.
