Peter Damjanovic has pleaded guilty to murdering his former partner, mother-of-three Tiffany Woodley, in a domestic violence attack inside her Perth home, abandoning his earlier not-guilty plea just as his trial was set to begin.
The 39-year-old was scheduled to face a judge-alone trial in the Supreme Court of Western Australia on Monday, after initially denying responsibility for the 2023 killing. However, appearing via video link from Hakea Prison, Damjanovic unexpectedly changed his plea to guilty.
The case stems from the death of 35-year-old Tiffany Woodley, whose body was discovered in her Bedford home in August 2023. The killing shocked the local community and drew attention to the ongoing crisis of domestic and family violence in Western Australia.
As the details of the attack were read out in court, emotions ran high, with members of the public gallery breaking down in tears. The guilty plea spares Woodley’s family the ordeal of a lengthy trial, though the sentencing phase is expected to revisit the harrowing details of her death.
Damjanovic will return to court for a sentencing hearing in March 2026, where the judge will determine the length of his prison term. Given the seriousness of the crime, he faces a life sentence, with the court to decide on the minimum non-parole period.
The case has reignited calls from advocates for stronger measures to combat domestic violence, which remains a leading cause of homicide among women in Australia. Community leaders and campaigners have urged governments to increase funding for prevention programs, victim support services, and housing for women fleeing abusive relationships.
Woodley’s death has also been highlighted as part of a broader national conversation about the disproportionate impact of violence on Indigenous women, who are significantly more likely to experience domestic abuse.
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