Stuart Charles Rattle (16 November 1960 – 4 December 2013) [1] was an Australian interior designer who was murdered by Michael Anthony O’Neill, his partner of 16 years, in their South Yarra home following an argument. [2]
Rattle was the owner of Stuart Rattle Interior Design in Melbourne, [3] a high-end interior design firm that catered to an affluent clientele. [4] His work appeared in magazines such as Belle and on television programs such as Gardening Australia. [5]
O’Neill, originally from Ireland, was working as a waiter at an Italian bistro when he met Rattle in the 1990s. [6] O’Neill began working for Rattle's firm, where his responsibilities included accounting, quoting, invoicing and ordering stock for clients. [7]
On 4 December 2013, O’Neill struck Rattle with a frying pan and then strangled him with a dog leash after an argument. O’Neill pretended for the next five days that Rattle was still alive, sending text messages from Rattle's phone and telling friends Rattle was unwell. [2] He then burned down the home and attempted to make it appear to be an accident involving candles. [8] O’Neill confessed to killing Rattle when police found inconsistencies in his account of what happened. [9]
O’Neill pleaded guilty to one count of murder and one count of arson. [10] He was diagnosed with ‘ dependent personality disorder with prominent features of narcissistic personality disorder’ by his treating psychologist; defence counsel argued this was a mitigating factor, which the prosecution did not contest. [11] O’Neill was sentenced to 18 years in prison with a non-parole period of 13 years. [12]
Rattle's estate, worth one million dollars, was given to his parents after the court deemed O’Neill, the beneficiary of Rattle's will, ineligible to benefit. [13]
The murder was the subject of the book Smoke and Mirrors by Robin Bowles. [14]
Rattle's home was profiled in the book Stuart Rattle’s Musk Farm, featuring a foreword by Paul Bangay. [15]
A tribute to Rattle appeared in Vogue Australia. [16]
Stuart Charles Rattle (16 November 1960 – 4 December 2013) [1] was an Australian interior designer who was murdered by Michael Anthony O’Neill, his partner of 16 years, in their South Yarra home following an argument. [2]
Rattle was the owner of Stuart Rattle Interior Design in Melbourne, [3] a high-end interior design firm that catered to an affluent clientele. [4] His work appeared in magazines such as Belle and on television programs such as Gardening Australia. [5]
O’Neill, originally from Ireland, was working as a waiter at an Italian bistro when he met Rattle in the 1990s. [6] O’Neill began working for Rattle's firm, where his responsibilities included accounting, quoting, invoicing and ordering stock for clients. [7]
On 4 December 2013, O’Neill struck Rattle with a frying pan and then strangled him with a dog leash after an argument. O’Neill pretended for the next five days that Rattle was still alive, sending text messages from Rattle's phone and telling friends Rattle was unwell. [2] He then burned down the home and attempted to make it appear to be an accident involving candles. [8] O’Neill confessed to killing Rattle when police found inconsistencies in his account of what happened. [9]
O’Neill pleaded guilty to one count of murder and one count of arson. [10] He was diagnosed with ‘ dependent personality disorder with prominent features of narcissistic personality disorder’ by his treating psychologist; defence counsel argued this was a mitigating factor, which the prosecution did not contest. [11] O’Neill was sentenced to 18 years in prison with a non-parole period of 13 years. [12]
Rattle's estate, worth one million dollars, was given to his parents after the court deemed O’Neill, the beneficiary of Rattle's will, ineligible to benefit. [13]
The murder was the subject of the book Smoke and Mirrors by Robin Bowles. [14]
Rattle's home was profiled in the book Stuart Rattle’s Musk Farm, featuring a foreword by Paul Bangay. [15]
A tribute to Rattle appeared in Vogue Australia. [16]