Dannielle Finlay-Jones Death: Family’s Plea & Bumble Safety
Dannielle Finlay-Jones’ family demands justice following her murder by Ashley gaddie,whom she met on Bumble,advocating for tougher bail and Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) laws. The family believes that stricter measures could have prevented the tragedy,highlighting Gaddie’s history of violence,including five prior AVOs. This heart-wrenching case underscores the urgent need for reform, especially concerning dating app safety. News Directory 3 reports on the family’s struggle to cope and their frustration over the delay of a coronial inquest. Discover what’s next as they seek closure and push for systemic changes to protect others.
Family Seeks AVO Law reform After Dating App Murder
Updated June 1, 2025
The family of Dannielle Finlay-Jones, a 31-year-old Sydney woman murdered in Cranebrook on Dec. 18, 2022, is urging lawmakers to enact tougher bail and Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) laws. They believe such measures could have saved her life.
Finlay-Jones was killed by Ashley Gaddie, 33, after only three dates. Gaddie, whom she met on the bumble dating app, had a history of violence, including five AVOs from different women, and was on bail for a domestic violence offense at the time of the murder.
Dannielle’s mother, Jacky Finlay-Jones, and brother, Blake, are now speaking out about the need for change. They say they are struggling to cope as domestic violence continues to plague Australia.
“Danni would still be here if there had been stricter bail laws for repeat offenders and tougher rules around AVOs,” Finlay-Jones told news.com.au. She noted Gaddie had five AVOs against him.
blake Finlay-Jones said that Gaddie’s existing AVOs would have been a “red flag” had they known about them. He was scheduled to meet Gaddie for Christmas lunch shortly after the murder.
The family’s grief was compounded by Gaddie’s death in prison in April 2024,meaning Dannielle’s murder case would never be heard in court.The family now faces a lengthy wait for a coronial inquest.
“The wait is just horrible,it is almost like they have forgotten the victim’s family and friends,” Ms. Finlay-Jones said, expressing frustration over the delay.
She added that it was unfair for her family, and other victims, to be forced to live in ”limbo” while domestic violence continues.
Blake Finlay-Jones described a pattern of behavior among perpetrators: “These men have a pattern; they are charming, the love bombing, then the controlling, and then the escalation.”
He added, “It’s almost like a hate crime…swipe the wrong type of situation, a murder waiting to happen.”
danni would still be here if there had been stricter bail laws for repeat offenders and tougher rules around AVOs. In her case the man, we don’t use his name, had five AVOs taken out on him by five different women.
What’s next
Ms. Finlay-Jones hopes a coronial inquest will provide recommendations to prevent future deaths. NSW Local Courts confirmed that no dates have been set for inquests into Dannielle’s or Gaddie’s deaths.Attorney-General Michael Daly said the government is working to strengthen the coronial system and has made it harder for accused serious domestic violence offenders to get bail.