Donna-Lee's close friend testifies that they last spoke the day before she was reported missing

During today's trail it was revealed that one of the last persons Donna-Lee spoke to was a close friend who was of the impression that Donaldson was on the road when they last talked the day before she went missing.

The witness, under cross-examination from defence attorney Christopher Townsend, said she formed the view based on the sounds of cars she could hear in the background.

The court heard that the conversation took place on July 12, 2022, after 2 p.m.

Donaldson, 24, a popular influencer, swimwear entrepreneur, and customer service representative, was reported missing on July 13.

Her boyfriend, Constable Noel Maitland, is on trial in the Home Circuit Court for murder and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse in connection with her death.

Donaldson's mother, Sophia Lugg, previously testified that Maitland had picked up her daughter from home on July 11 and that she last spoke to her daughter on the following morning, but could not reach her after.

Donaldson's friend said she too spoke to Donaldson on July 12 as she was to collect something from her, but was told that there would be a delay.

It was this conversation, the witness said, she felt occurred while Donaldson was on the road.

However, in answering Townsend's question, she said she did not tell the court that in her evidence-in-chief.

However, during re-examination, she said the information was given in her statement.

The witness, before ending her testimony, said, while being cross-examined, that she was aware that Donaldson and the mother of Maitland's child had an ongoing dispute.

The court, in previous evidence from Lugg, heard that she was told by Maitland that Donaldson left his home on July 12 after they had a minor dispute.

- Tanesha Mundle

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