The mother of a young woman who committed suicide after allegedly being abused by her husband is calling for a change in the law after he took her $65,000 retirement benefit.
Perth-born Molly Wilkes, 22, died in the garage of her new Las Vegas home in July 2022 after following her then-boyfriend to the US two years earlier. The couple married soon after.
But Molly’s mother Julie Adams believes her “beautiful” and “feisty” daughter died from suicide by domestic violence after her husband allegedly subjected her to “severe emotional, sexual, physical and financial abuse”.
“Since they were married in January 2021, Molly had attempted to leave her abuser six times,” Adams wrote in a submission to a Senate investigation into the role of financial institutions in domestic violence.
The last three times were in the last five months of her life.
‘The week before her death, Molly had packed her bags and was ready to leave… but once he discovered her plans, his emotional torture and manipulation of her escalated.
‘Exhausted and completely isolated in a foreign country, she didn’t have the energy to leave.’
Ms Adams’ contribution to the inquiry was delayed due to “unparliamentary language”.
Perth-born Molly Wilkes (pictured) died two years ago in the garage of her new Las Vegas home
Molly’s mother Julie Adams (pictured with her daughter) believes her ‘beautiful’ and ‘feisty’ daughter died from suicide as a result of domestic abuse
Mrs Adams claimed the delay was caused by recording samples of the hundreds of abusive text messages her daughter had received from her husband.
He is said to have called her, among other things, a “fucking retard”, a “fucking slut”, a “whore” and a “faithful, cheating prick”.
‘In the last weeks of her life, Molly endured death threats: ‘I’m going to fucking kill you and spend the rest of my life happily in prison’ (and) suicide threats: ‘Dig a hole and bury yourself in it, you pathetic bastard,” Ms Adams revealed.
In other messages, he is said to have conducted smear campaigns about a new relationship he had with another woman.
“There have been numerous messages of financial abuse including asking me for money, wanting to access her inheritance from her grandmother (my mother), confusing messages stating he had their finances in order while simultaneously taking out an installment loan, and language implying she was a financial burden,” the filing said.
Molly’s husband has never been accused of any wrongdoing.
When she died, she had a pension account with HESTA, but no will.
At the time of her death, Molly had a superannuation account with HESTA, but she died without a will. Her $65,000 went to her husband (the couple are pictured together)
Although Molly listed her mother as her beneficiary, under current law her husband is legally entitled to the money.
Last December, he was paid the full amount, $65,000.
Ms Adams was told by HESTA that they could only intervene if the eligible person was formally charged with murder.
This means that even if Molly’s husband had been charged with abuse, he would still receive benefits.
Mrs Adams is now campaigning for a change in the law that would make it much harder for a perpetrator of domestic abuse to run off with their partner’s pension after their death.
In her contribution, she outlines several ways in which financial institutions can minimise the risk of financial abuse. For example, she introduces a new cause of death for death certificates: ‘suicide related to domestic violence’, updates the terms and conditions to prohibit the misuse of their products and services, and imposes stricter requirements for witnesses to binding nominations for pension death benefits.
Molly’s husband told the The Australian that his wife had gone into a downward spiral while he was working outside the home and that they had had some “rough nights.”
“My wife and I had a great relationship. We created things that other people would never do in their entire lives,” he told the newspaper.
‘My wife is dead, it’s over. The superannuation has been settled in court. She wanted nothing to do with Australia.
“If she were alive today, she’d tell you the same thing. That’s why she didn’t get on a plane and leave.”
Ms Adams has vowed to continue her campaign for change.
“I will always have to live with the inability to protect my daughter and keep her safe,” she told the newspaper.
The inquiry’s next public hearing will take place in Perth next Wednesday (July 10).
If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Suicide callback service on 1300 659 467.