An Ipswich man has been jailed for 14 years over the "despicable" manslaughter of his pregnant partner whose body was found in the boot of a car.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains images and names of people who have died.
The decomposing body of Kardell Lomas was discovered inside the car in the backyard of her Raceview home she shared with Traven Fisher in December 2019.
The 31-year-old was 24 weeks pregnant with his child.
Fisher, 40, was originally charged with murder, but last week he pleaded guilty to her manslaughter.
He also admitted to interfering with a corpse and assault of a pregnant woman causing the death of an unborn child.
During an earlier sentencing hearing, the Supreme Court in Brisbane heard Fisher now admits to killing Ms Lomas in the days prior to police finding her, but still has not disclosed how.
The court heard her cause of death was undetermined, but she had multiple fractures and abrasions consistent with blows and pressure to her neck reflective of choking, but to date "all of the injuries remain unexplained".
After the killing, Fisher had "told lies" and tried to hide what he had done, by contacting her relatives and telling them she "always takes off" and even sending Ms Lomas messages knowing she was not alive, the court heard.
Ms Lomas' brother Adair Lomas read victim impact statements for himself and other family members to the court.
He told the court his family could not comprehend his sister and her baby's "despicable" death at the hands of a "so-called loved one".
"Kardell didn't deserve this, neither did that unborn child," he said.
"Our family will never be the same again."
Before leaving the witness box, Mr Lomas called Fisher an "evil animal" and other expletives and told him to "own up", and the court was forced to adjourn.
"I hope you suffer in a dark hole like you left my sister," he said before walking out.
Killer 'motivated by self-preservation' to avoid conviction
The court heard the pair had been in a "dysfunctional" domestic violence relationship and both were drug users and had significant mental health issues.
Fisher also had a serious criminal history, including the rape of a toddler, and was "functionally illiterate" and diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, the court heard.
When handing down his sentence on Wednesday, Justice Peter Davis said he believed Fisher had not displayed accountability, rather he was "primarily motivated by self-preservation" to avoid a murder conviction.
"Your pleas of guilty do not show true and genuine remorse for your offending," he said.
Outside court Mr Lomas said he was disappointed in the outcome calling it "crazy", particularly since Fisher was the first in the state to be sentenced for killing an unborn baby.
"The judge had a chance to make a statement … it's pretty shocking," he said.
"It sets the standard for DV.
"Anyway that's the judge's decision, he thought that was fit for the crime, that's his job."
Mr Lomas said no sentence or punishment would bring his sister and nephew back and encouraged other victims of domestic violence to find the "courage and strength" to leave dangerous situations.
"[Kardell] left it too late and it cost her her life and her unborn son's life," he said.
Fisher has already spent 1,191 days in custody and will be eligible for parole in September 2030.
