Kids were my whole world, McLeod dad tells coroner

James McLeod said he is "no longer the same man" after losing his four children. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

The father of four children killed in head-on collision has told an inquest that he is "no longer the same man" after losing his family.

Friday was the last day of public hearings in Brisbane into the deaths Charmaine McLeod, 35, and her children Aaleyn, 6, Matilda, 5, Wyatt, 4, and Zaidok, 2, on May 27, 2019, on the Bunya Highway at Kingaroy northwest of Brisbane.

Ms McLeod's former partner and father of the children, James McLeod, read his victim impact statement to the coroner.

As pictures of the children were displayed in the courtroom, Mr McLeod said he had always dreamed of becoming a dad.

"I was over the moon but nervous as heck when cutting (Aaleyn's) umbilical cord," Mr McLeod said.

He told the hearing he was present at all his children's births and gave them their first feeds

"They were my whole world and still are ... it breaks my heart that I will not get to see the rest of their firsts," Mr McLeod said.

The coroner heard during the inquest that Ms McLeod struggled with her mental health and suicide attempts, and police suspected the crash was related to allegations of threatening behaviour and sexual abuse she made against Mr McLeod.

He denied these allegations to police at the time and his barrister challenged the allegations at the hearings.

Mr McLeod said on Friday that his life changed forever when the police woke him up to tell him there had been an accident.

"I was told none of the children survived. I was absolutely gutted to have my kids ripped away from me," he said.

Mr McLeod said he has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress and complex grief, and found it upsetting to look at children the same age as his own had been.

"I have been here every day for three weeks. I hope your findings make sure something like this never happens again," Mr McLeod told the coroner.

The hearing was then shown videos of the McLeod children saying in unison, "Hi daddy, we love you".

A barrister for Ms McLeod's parents and relatives read from a victim impact statement that said the loss of Charmaine and the children had left a hole that will never be filled.

The family said they had been upset by media reports that portrayed Ms McLeod as "selfish and evil", and it had been difficult to listen to evidence about how authorities reacted to her.

"It saddens us that rather than receiving the help she needed, Charmaine felt stigma and shame," the family's statement said.

The family stated they were impressed with the coroner's investigation and hoped that it could bring about changes.

The barrister, voice halting with emotion, read from Ms McLeod's message to her mum for Mother’s Day.

"I am the mother I am today - a bloody good one - because to be honest, I had you as an example," Ms McLeod wrote.

Coroner Kerrie O'Callaghan will take written submissions over the next month before preparing her findings.

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store