A former Wanganui man has been charged with murder after the death of a 24-year-old woman on Australia's Gold Coast.
Tara Brown, a mother of one, died on Wednesday night of injuries she suffered during a road-rage attack.
Her former partner, Lionel Patea, has been charged with murder.
According to Facebook, he is from Wanganui but it is understood he has been living in Australia for some time and attended high school on the Gold Coast, where he met Ms Brown, herself a Kiwi.
After the alleged incident on Tuesday, Patea was seen to flee the scene in a vehicle. Police searched for him but he later turned himself in at the Coomera Police Station, with what were called self-inflicted stab wounds.
Detective Inspector Brian Swan said a knife had been found inside the vehicle.
The attack on Ms Brown was so brutal that Queensland Police said it shocked even the most senior detectives.
The incident occurred at 8.45am on Tuesday local time. Patea allegedly forced Ms Brown off the road, then viciously assaulted her while she was still pinned in the car.
Patea had followed Ms Brown from a childcare centre where she was thought to have dropped off their young daughter, police said.
"It is understood that he was at the centre waiting for her," Mr Swan said.
Ms Brown was cut from the vehicle with hydraulic equipment and rushed to hospital but her injuries were too severe and she died on Wednesday, surrounded by family.
Patea was also charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, attempted unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and contravening a domestic violence order.
A special court hearing was held for Patea at his hospital bedside.
He was remanded in custody until October 28.