She Ran Through Glass to Escape Her Alleged Abuser — And Died 3 Days later

Claire Austin, a 38-year-old marketing executive, died after running through a glass door in a desperate attempt to escape an alleged domestic violence incident in her Sydney apartment. What began as a frantic attempt to find safety ended in a fatal injury, prompting a community-wide outcry and a renewed call to action against domestic abuse.

A Desperate Flight Turns Fatal

On April 12, 2025, officers responded to a welfare call at Claire Austin's apartment in Randwick, a suburb in Sydney, Australia's eastern district, after neighbors reported hearing an argument. When they arrived, they discovered the 38-year-old with a severe laceration on her arm, believed to have been caused when she ran through a glass door in a frantic attempt to flee a domestic altercation.

Austin was treated by paramedics at the scene before being rushed to St. Vincent's Hospital in critical condition. Despite intensive medical care, she succumbed to her injuries three days later.

Police confirmed that 44-year-old Lee Loughlin, Austin's boyfriend, was taken into custody for questioning. He was later released without charge pending further investigation. According to The Telegraph, he was admitted to a mental health unit the night after the incident.

Legal Actions Came Too Late

Austin had recently filed an apprehended violence order against Loughlin in response to her domestic abuse. The case was scheduled to be heard in court on April 16 — just one day after her death.

The tragedy has raised serious concerns about the timing and enforcement of protective orders. The fact that an AVO was in place but not yet executed raises troubling questions about the system's ability to protect victims in time.

NSW Premier Chris Minns addressed the case publicly, calling reports of Austin's death "disturbing." He stated to The Sydney Morning Herald, "I can just imagine how devastated they are today. It's another example of somebody dying, allegedly at the hands of domestic violence. I want the public to be assured that there's a task force that's been set up by NSW Police. They're taking it incredibly seriously and the focus will be justice for that woman and her family."

New South Wales Police continue to investigate the circumstances of Austin's death and the preceding events.

A Life Cut Short

While no charges were immediately filed, the case remained active and closely monitored by both authorities and domestic violence advocates. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell called the incident "an absolute tragedy and the loss of another precious life," according to the New Zealand Herald. "People have to stop dying in situations of domestic violence," Thurtell said. "Whether it's women or men, and most of the time it is women who die in [domestic violence] situations. It is tragic, and it has to end."

Prominent domestic violence campaigner Michelle Faye, who is running for the Senate in Queensland, voiced outrage over Austin's death, calling it "not only tragic, but also infuriating," as reported by the New Zealand Herald.

"No woman runs through a glass door unless she believes what's on the other side is safer than what she is running from," Faye said. "That's the level of fear she was [allegedly] living with. It's heartbreaking knowing that she's not the only one. Women are living with this fear and risk every day. This must stop. It's not good enough."

Faye also criticized the lack of meaningful action by policymakers saying, "These stories keep ending the same way, with a woman's life cut short and no response from policymakers with solutions. They don't even publicly acknowledge the deaths of these women. There is definitely a 'don't discuss domestic violence' attitude in the political arena. I keep talking about awareness to instigate change, yet nothing ever changes. The people with the ability to make real change don't seem to want to acknowledge the gravity of this situation we face with gender-based violence in Australia," as reported by the New Zealand Herald.

A Wake-Up Call

Austin, originally from the U.K., had built a promising career in Sydney as a senior event producer with Misfits Media. Her family flew in from the U.K. to be with her in her final moments. As more details emerge, advocates are calling for faster responses to protection orders and more robust systems to support at-risk individuals.

For anyone experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233.

References: Woman, 38, Dies After Running Through Glass Door Trying to Escape Alleged Domestic Abuse Incident: Reports | Sydney woman dies after running through glass door to flee alleged attacker | Marketing executive dies from injuries sustained while fleeing alleged domestic violence attack | Claire Austin's partner Lee Loughlin is assisting police with their inquiries following her horrific death