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AAP
AAP
National
Adelaide Lang

'Much-loved' teacher's death to be probed years later

An inquest will be held into the suspected murder of teacher Dannielle Finlay-Jones. (HANDOUT/NSW POLICE)

The suspected murder of a young teacher will be examined by an inquest more than three years after she was killed following a night with her boyfriend. 

Dannielle Finlay-Jones was found with fatal injuries at a home in Cranebook, in western Sydney, on the afternoon of December 18, 2022. 

Police believe the 31-year-old spent the previous night with her boyfriend Ashley Gaddie, 33, before he left in the morning. 

Ashley Gaddie (file)
Ashley Gaddie was found dead before he could face trial charged with murder. (HANDOUT/NSW POLICE)

Gaddie was arrested days later following a 12-hour police operation in the Blue Mountains in which officers negotiated with him at Fletchers Lookout at Wentworth Falls.

He was charged with Ms Finlay-Jones' murder but was found dead in April 2024 before he could face trial. 

The circumstances surrounding Ms Finlay-Jones' death will be examined in a week-long inquest held in August, a coronial court was told on Monday. 

It will be heard by State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan, who recently presided over the inquests for murdered water polo coach Lilie James and the Bondi Junction mass stabbing. 

She thanked Ms Finlay-Jones' family for attending a brief mention of the inquest on Monday. 

Memorials have been set up for Ms Finlay-Jones near a school where she worked and at a football club where she was a valued long-time member. 

At the time of her death, the Ramsgate RSL Football Club said members were all in a state of shock and disbelief. 

"Dannielle was a beautiful person, a life member of the club who was much loved and very well respected not only within our immediate football community but also throughout the Football St George association," the club wrote on Facebook.

"Her tireless and unselfish commitment to football within the community, particularly women's football, will be sorely missed and her legacy will be everlasting."

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Lifeline 13 11 14

Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491

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