A fiery crash which killed a Queensland mother and her four children should not be "simply dismissed" as a murder-suicide, despite a note being found detailing the woman "being unable to cope", an inquest has heard.
Charmaine Harris McLeod was driving on the Bunya Highway at Kumbia in the South Burnett when her car collided with a truck in May, 2019.
The two vehicles caught alight, killing the 35-year-old and her two sons, Wyatt and Zaidok, and two daughters, Aaleyn and Matilda, who were aged between 2 and 6.
The circumstances surrounding the death of the family are being examined at an inquest which started in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Over two weeks, the coroner is set to explore a range of issues including how the collision occurred.
The inquest will also probe the handling of allegations of domestic violence and sexual offences made by Ms McLeod to police, her mental health treatment, and the response of several departments to the safety of her children.
In an opening address, counsel assisting the coroner Kylie Hillard told the coroners court after the crash, first responders found Ms McLeod's purse which contained a handwritten note that "pointed the way" to the scope of the coronial inquiry.
"Over a number of pages … Charmaine referred to being unable to cope, being worried about the fate of her children, and that she had sought help," Ms Hillard said.
"It referred to complaints of rape … complaints of two of her children being molested, it referred to complaints of her children being abused.
"The substance of that note will be examined at this inquest."
Mental health history
The court heard Ms McLeod had a lengthy history of severe mental health issues, including a diagnosis of schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Ms Hillard told the court the mother had suffered auditory hallucinations, including voices of animals and commands to harm herself or others.
"She experienced paranoia believing others were after her," she said.
Ms McLeod had previously been admitted to a mental health unit in hospital after an attempted overdose, the court heard.
Despite this, Ms Hillard told the court the deaths of Ms McLeod and her children were "not so simply dismissed" as intentional.
"Nor is it as simple as saying it was a murder-suicide or that she acted in a premeditated or vicious manner as suggested by some," she said.
"Equally, it is not the case that she should have been simply disbelieved — because of her mental health issues — when she sought assistance from government departments."
'She seemed fairly normal'
Several witnesses are expected to be called to give evidence speaking to the particulars of the crash, Ms McLeod's mental health symptoms, and the allegations which were levelled against her former partner James McLeod.
A woman, who legally cannot be named, told the court she had been aware of Ms McLeod's mental health issues over several years, but believed the mum often put a "mask" on while around her.
"She seemed fairly normal towards me," she said.
However, she did concede Ms McLeod had told her "voices were telling her to do things".
"She talked about the voices in a past sense," she said.
When asked about Mr McLeod, the woman recounted times when he had been "nasty" about his partner's weight.
The witness told the court Ms McLeod also told her Mr McLeod had allegedly raped her.
"He would force [Charmaine] to have sex even when she was in pain," she said.
"[Charmaine] had said that one of her children was the [result] of rape."
The woman also described a "highly inappropriate" incident she alleged witnessing in 2014 between Mr McLeod and one of the children.
"James [asked the child] to come to the bathroom with him so she could hold his penis while he urinated," she said.
"I walked past.. and the door was open, and they were both in there."
"I thought something wasn't quite right — it wasn't normal."
Under cross examination by Mr McLeod's lawyer, the witness was accused of making the scenario up.
The defence suggested she did not like Mr McLeod and questioned why the woman didn't report this information to the police.
"I have not lied about this incident," the woman said.
The inquest continues.
