A savage murderer who killed his ex-girlfriend with an axe while she was carrying her eight-day-old daughter is under protection in jail after being beaten up.
Marcus Rappel, 43, murdered mother-of-three Tara Costigan, 28, in February 2015 in front of her sons, aged nine and 11.
He was beaten up last month at the Alexander Maconochie Centre in Canberra where he is serving a 32-year sentence.
Marcus Rappel (pictured), 43, murdered mother of three Tara Costigan, 28, in February 2015 in front of her sons, aged nine and 11
Tara Costigan (pictured), 28, was slashed in the neck by Rappel while holding her daughter and in front of her sons, aged nine and 11 at the time
The murderer was left with facial bruising but did not need hospital after the attack at 6pm on April 19.
A Justice and Community Safety Directorate spokesman said: ‘The incident was not observed by custodial staff but as soon as staff became aware of the incident health staff were informed.
‘Following assessment the detainee remained at the Alexander Maconochie Centre. The incident was quickly responded to and according to normal procedures.
‘ACT Corrective Services has implemented measures to protect the detainee as is usual after incidents of this kind.’
ACT Policing is investigating the attack. A spokesman said: ‘No charges have been laid at this time, however, the investigation remains ongoing.’
Ms Costigan was killed just a day after she sought an interim domestic violence order against Rappel and one week after she gave birth to their daughter.
Marcus Rappel, 43, was been sentenced to 32 years in jail after killing his ex-partner with an axe while she held their eight-day-old newborn daughter
Ms Costigan, 28, was killed just a day after she sought an interim domestic violence order against Rappel (pictured together)
Ms Costigan was breastfeeding her newborn daughter when Rappel broke in to her Canberra home. She fled to the laundry in terror – but it was there she was struck in the neck
In a sentencing hearing in September 2016, the court heard that the estranged pair’s relationship had broken down and Rappel had become increasingly abusive.
‘The love was gone, the trust was gone, the family was against me for things I didn’t do,’ Rappel said in his evidence. ‘It was doomed.’
Angered at not being present for his daughter’s birth and intent on reclaiming furniture which belonged to him, he arrived at the Calwell home in a rage.
Ms Costigan was breastfeeding her newborn daughter when Rappel broke in. She fled in terror to the laundry but was not quick enough.
It was there that she was struck in the neck by Rappel, falling face-first to the ground while still holding her newborn daughter.
Ms Costigan’s sister Nikkie Schmidt and her partner were in the house at the time and both suffered injuries in the attack.
Ms Schmidt’s partner eventually managed to knock the axe from Mr Rappel’s hands and a neighbour was able to restrain him until police arrived.
‘(It) should have been forever,’ Ms Costigan’s mother Trish Fuller (pictured) was emotional outside of court after the sentencing
Rappel was sentenced to 32 years and 2 months jail, with a non-parole period of 26 years, for murder, breaching a domestic violence order and two counts of assault.
He will be eligible for release in 2041.
When he was sentenced in February last year, Rappel had to be restrained and removed from the ACT Supreme Court room after yelling at Justice John Burns.
Ms Costigan’s mother Trish Fuller said no sentence would have been good enough.
‘(It) should have been forever,’ she told reporters outside of court amidst sobbing tears.
‘Whatever he did is never going to bring her back, this has just been devastating.’
Ms Costigan’s uncle Michael said Rappel got what he deserved.
‘Many have suggested that today will bring closure. It hasn’t – today’s verdict does not bring me peace. Tara remains dead,’ he told reporters outside court.
Justice Burns told Rappel the ruthless murder was ‘vicious and cowardly’ and would be ‘felt for decades to come’, the ABC reported.
‘Those who witnessed your violence will have to live with their memories for the rest of their lives,’ he said.
‘Your actions deprived three children of their mother, including your own infant daughter.
Justice Burns said Rappel’s motivation for the murder was the AVO that Ms Costigan had applied for
Rikki Schmidt, sister of domestic violence victim Tara Costigan is hugged by family members outside the Supreme Court after Rappel was sentenced
Michael Costigan, Nathan Costigan and Christopher Costigan, uncle and cousins of domestic violence victim Tara Costigan speak to the media outside the Supreme Court in Canberra