WARNING: Distressing content

The family of a 21-year-old woman who was murdered in her own home by her “angry” and “jealous” partner say they are haunted by the thought of her final moments, telling a court they feel “broken inside”.

Jeremaia Tuwai has admitted to murdering his partner, Nunia Kurualeba, at her Kingswood home in western Sydney in July 2024.

Then aged 22, Mr Tuwai dragged Ms Kurualeba into her home and then to her bedroom where he had earlier hidden a knife underneath a pillow, punching her and fatally stabbing her, a court was told.

Mr Tuwai told police that he was motivated by “anger and jealousy” and wanted to “end her life”, Crown prosecutor Nicholas Marney told a sentencing hearing in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday.

“(Ms Kurualeba’s murder) was motivated by an offender who was angry, who was jealous and who was unwilling to accept the deceased’s right to decide her own future. And that included, of course, a future without him,” Mr Marney told the court.

Nunia Kurualeba’s family described her as ‘a vibrant, loving person’. Picture: Supplied
Mr Tuwai sat in the dock as the court was told how the lives of Ms Kurualeba’s family have been torn apart following her murder, with some of her relatives sitting in court for the proceedings.

Her mother and sister spoke of how Ms Kurualeba’s dreams of becoming an engineer were stolen from her during a heart-wrenching victim impact statement read to the court.

“Holidays, birthdays and family gatherings now feel incomplete and painful,” they said.

“There is an empty chair at every table and that absence is a constant reminder of what was taken from us. The joy we once shared has been replaced by grief and sorrow.”

They said knowing Ms Kurualeba’s life ended with violence “haunts” her family, whose nights were now “sleepless” and “filled with tears and nightmares”.

They described her as the “life of the party” who always put her family first and brought joy to all those around her.

“Her life mattered. She loved deeply, and she deserved to live a life free from fear and harm … We speak for her because her voice was silenced,” they said.

Jeremaia Tuwai (left) murdered Ms Kurualeba at her home in 2024. Picture: Supplied.
‘Volatile’ relationship

Mr Marney told the court the couple’s relationship was “one of volatility”, with Mr Tuwai assaulting Ms Kurualeba in the lead-up to killing her.

He said there appeared to be a history of coercive control and obsessive behaviour, and while Mr Tuwai had not been charged in relation to those actions, they were not irrelevant.

“They deny him the opportunity to say that this was an offence completely out of character and that jealousy, rage and violence do not form part of his character because clearly they do,” Mr Marney said.

“There was, as we have heard, a history of violence and threats and control by this offender upon the deceased, and this unfortunately is a pattern that is often seen in cases such as this.”

He said Mr Tuwai’s background “may give some explanation” but did not provide any mitigation for the murder.

Mr Tuwai’s lawyer Antony Evers told the court that Mr Tuwai had a difficult upbringing marked by violence, and his early admission to the murder and early plea were relevant to remorse.

Mr Tuwai killed Ms Kurualeba at her Kingswood home. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer
Mr Tuwai “struggled to function” due to a combination of being exposed to violence at a young age and limited mental capacity, Mr Evers submitted.

Mr Tuwai will be sentenced on March 20.

‘Life will never be the same’

Ms Kurualeba’s family said “life will never be the same” without her contagious laughter and smile.

“Her laughter was contagious and her presence made every family gathering brighter,” they said.

“She had a smile that could light up any room and a personality that brought joy to everyone around her.”

Her family spoke of dealing with the financial burdens of the funeral and counselling on top of the “emotional scars” they were now forced to live with.

“No family should have to bear these costs because of an act of violence, yet here we are, trying to piece our lives back together while trying to deal with financial hardship,” they said.

“Losing her has left a void that can never be filled … we find ourselves avoiding celebrations because they only remind us of her absence. Life will never be the same.”

Domestic violence: Where to get help

Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service 4033 6100

Women’s Centre FNQ Domestic and Family Violence Service 4051 9366

DVConnect Womensline 1800 811 811

DVConnect Mensline 1800 600 636

1800 RESPECT (sexual assault) 1800 737 732

Sexual Assault Helpline 1800 010 120

Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

Relationships Australia – Far North Queensland 1300 364 277

In an emergency, call 000