South Mackay shooting: Ryan Cole’s triple tragedy before he allegedly shot dead Natalie Frahm

A craftsman who allegedly shot and killed his neighbor as she drove up to her house lived alone after losing both his parents and his brother in separate tragedies.

Plumber Ryan Geoffrey Cole, 31, allegedly shot his neighbour Natalie Jane Frahm, 34, in the head and chest outside their Robb Place home in South Mackay in central Queensland on June 19.

Cole is also accused of shooting 66-year-old Good Samaritan James Trevor McGill, who rushed to Mrs. Frahm’s aid after being alerted to the incident.

Two girls who were in Ms. Frahm’s car at the time ran away before Mr. McGill came to their aid.

He suffered injuries to his chest and was taken to hospital in critical condition.

The horrors unfolded on Cole’s 31st birthday and just days before the anniversary of his brother Jacob’s death.

Cole’s devastated family life may now be brought to light, thanks to court documents obtained by the Courier post which shows that Jakob died in 2012 at the age of 20 from a gunshot wound to the head.

Jacob’s death was not considered suspicious.

Just six months later, his father Dylan ‘Robin’ Cole, who was also a plumber, died of a stroke.

Cole was dealt a third blow when his mother Christine died of unknown causes in December last year.

The only family he has left is his older half-sister.

According to Daily Mail Australia, the South Mackay home where Cole lived was owned by his late mother.

Cole reportedly fled, after which police conducted a massive search of the area and decided to stop the incident.

He was arrested by police at a gas station on the Bruce Highway, near Hilton Street, about 2km away, around 7.45pm that day.

It appears that Cole and Mrs. Frahm did not know each other, despite living on the same street.

According to police, Cole used a .22 caliber pistol to shoot Ms. Frahm while she was sitting in her car.

Officers searched his home the day after the incident and reportedly found three weapons and the handgun, which police say Cole used when he shot Mrs. Frahm.

Police also reportedly found an air rifle and a shotgun.

Queensland Police Chief Steve Gollschewski revealed at the time that Cole had lost his gun licence in 2021 and that police had seized 11 firearms.

“The consequence of his behavior was that the weapons were confiscated and the license was revoked,” he said.

Daily Mail Australia previously revealed that Cole himself survived a near-death experience after being bitten on the foot by a Taipan on the coast in 2008.

Cole jumped into the Burnett River in his hometown of Mundubberra, about 390km northwest of Brisbane, when the venomous snake struck him twice in the foot.

Jakob and some friends rushed to his aid and dragged him out of the waterhole, bandaged his foot with a T-shirt and shouted ‘triple-0’.

Cole was given a liter of antivenom to save his life, but his second encounter with a snake was a terrifying ordeal.

Mrs Frahm moved from her birthplace of Mount Isa in the Queensland outback to Mackay several years ago.

Her family is well known in the small town and runs local businesses.

Cole was charged with murder and attempted murder.

He remains in custody and will appear in court again in September.

It happened as dozens of family and friends gathered in Mackay to say goodbye to Mrs Frahm.

Relatives traveled from far and wide to the funeral, while people abroad who were unable to attend the service were able to follow the service online.

Relatives remembered Mrs. Frahm as a “devoted and loving mother” who was full of zest for life.

“Natalie was so enthusiastic about life, she was such a spontaneous and outgoing person who was always willing to try anything,” said Frahm’s uncle, Robin.

Mrs Frahm wanted to study at university to become a paramedic and had several hobbies, including skateboarding and boxing.

Natalie tragically left us far too soon, but there are so many beautiful memories that will live on forever… you touched so many lives,’ said Robin.