Report failed to spot alleged killer's violent history

The killing of a much-loved football club figure was the tragic end of her assailant's long history of domestic violence, a coroner has heard.

Dannielle Finlay-Jones was beaten to death in the bedroom of her friend's house in Cranebrook in western Sydney after a Christmas night out in 2022.

The 31-year-old had been on a third date with her alleged killer, Ashley Gaddie, who she met on dating app Bumble.

Gaddie died in custody 16 months later, before the matter went to trial.

There is no credible evidence anyone other than Gaddie was involved in Ms Finlay-Jones's death, counsel assisting Donna Ward SC said as a week-long inquest began on Monday.

Ms Finlay-Jones was found alone in the spare bedroom several hours after CCTV footage showed Gaddie breaking out of the window of another room in the house, Ms Ward said.

Gaddie's long history of domestic violence was revealed on Monday as Ms Ward outlined the numerous women who made reports about his abusive behaviour before Ms Finlay-Jones's death.

"One cannot understand the manner of Dannielle's death without understanding Ashley Gaddie's broader history of intimate partner violence," Ms Ward said.

Five separate former partners of Gaddie had protection orders against him, including two active orders when he killed the 31-year-old, the court heard.

Violent acts including destroying property, sexual touching without consent and putting pressure on the necks of women during sex had been reported by Gaddie's former partners.

Ms Finlay-Jones had met her killer online and believed she had met someone also committed to a long-term relationship, Ms Ward said.

"Contrary to the impression he had given, Gaddie was still dating and having sex with other women," Ms Ward said.

While the inquest is not a "court of morals", Ms Ward said online dating poses unique privacy and safety risks when people with bad intentions are able to hide them.

"Anyone can curate or even entirely invent a personality," Ms Ward said.