A Western Australian woman has been sentenced to five years in prison after fatally stabbing her partner during a violent confrontation at a property in **Geraldton.
Mollina Rose Anne Ryan, 32, was initially charged with murder over the death of Desmond Cook, 54, but later pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter on August 3, 2026, the scheduled first day of her Supreme Court trial.
The Supreme Court heard that Ryan and Cook had spent the day drinking with family members on December 12, 2024. The court was also told Ryan had consumed cannabis before an argument broke out between the couple.
During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors outlined how witnesses heard Ryan threaten Cook, saying:
“If you leave me, I’m going to stab you.”
After Cook walked away from the confrontation, Ryan allegedly ran into the house, retrieved a 30-centimetre kitchen knife, and followed him.
The court heard that Ryan continued shouting at Cook before he stopped and turned around. She then stabbed him once in the chest, inflicting a fatal wound to his heart.
Following the attack, Cook reportedly staggered away and said:
“Look what you’ve done to me.”
He then collapsed on a nearby porch and later died from his injuries.
The case highlights the devastating consequences of alcohol-fuelled domestic violence incidents and has left a lasting impact on the Geraldton community and the families involved.
In sentencing Ryan, the court considered her guilty plea, personal circumstances, and the tragic circumstances surrounding the incident before imposing a five-year prison term.
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