A man charged with assaulting his partner – who later died from her injuries in hospital on Christmas Eve – is alleged to have struck her with an axe handle, according to allegations in court documents.

Philip Andrew Hunter has been in custody on remand since his partner, Kristy Louise Hunter, was found with non-life threatening injuries at a property in Currimundi, in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast region, last year.

Emergency services were called to an address on Gannawarra St in Currimundi about 4.40pm on December 22, 2024, following reports of a disturbance.

Ms Hunter, 47, was allegedly found at the property with non-life threatening injuries.

She was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital for treatment but died two days later.

Mr Hunter was initially charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and obstruct police but had his charge upgraded to acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm following Ms Hunter’s death.

Police allege in court documents that Mr Hunter, who is originally from Subiaco in Western Australia, unlawfully struck his partner with an axe handle “with intent to do some serious grievous bodily harm”.

Mr Hunter’s occupation is listed in court documents as a “carer”.

He was not brought before Maroochydore Magistrates Court when his matter was briefly mentioned on Monday.

His matter was adjourned to February 24 for a further mention.

In a statement, Queensland Police said further investigations into Ms Hunter’s death were ongoing.

A post-mortem is yet to be completed.

Red Heart Campaign founder and journalist Sherele Moody made a touching tribute to Ms Hunter after speaking with the 47-year-old’s father at the weekend.

“Kristy should never have survived her childhood – she was born with a congenital heart condition for which she needed lifesaving operations,” Moody said.

“Her mum and dad were told she would not live beyond 12 years old.

“She proved her doctors wrong and continued to thrive, loving horses, her family and her life.”

Moody revealed Ms Hunter was recently diagnosed with cancer and she was “desperate to live and to be there for her daughter”.

“(Ms Hunter’s) child was her world,” Moody said.

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