A father claimed he experienced a coughing episode and lost consciousness, leading to a tragic incident where he drove his three children into a dam on Father’s Day, ultimately saving only himself. Robert Farquharson was convicted of three counts of murder for seeking revenge against his ex-wife, Cindy Gambino, by killing his sons, Jai, Tyler, and Bailey in 2005. Following a retrial, Farquharson was sentenced to three life terms in prison. Despite Farquharson’s initial release on bail in 2009, he was incarcerated once more in July 2010.
The incident occurred near Winchelsea when Farquharson’s car crashed into a dam. His three sons, aged 10, 7, and 2, were found inside the vehicle with their seatbelts unfastened. Farquharson, who claimed he passed out due to a coughing fit, believed he had crashed into a ditch and attempted to rescue his children before seeking help. He expressed a need to inform his ex-wife about the accident, emphasizing her role as the mother of his children.
During the trial, it was revealed that Farquharson had made threatening statements towards his wife in the past, although he later clarified that he intended to move on with his life. Cindy Gambino described Farquharson’s complex relationship with their children and his lack of emotional response when they were trapped in the submerged car. Witness testimonies and crash reenactment tests suggested inconsistencies in Farquharson’s version of events.
Prosecutors argued that Farquharson deliberately drove into the dam with the intent to murder his children, dismissing his claim of losing consciousness due to a coughing fit. In 2024, Farquharson’s name was removed from his sons’ grave by the Victoria government, prohibiting him from being buried alongside them. Stephen Moules, Cindy’s husband who passed away in 2022, expressed relief over the intervention, noting the significance of changing historical grave rights laws.
The tragic incident sparked discussions around justice for victims of domestic violence and the repercussions faced by perpetrators. The legal actions taken against Farquharson underscored the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, particularly in cases of extreme violence and harm towards others.