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Two teenage boys have been charged with murdering a Queensland mum and the attempted murder of her husband while the couple were defending their home on Boxing Day night.
Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Hogan says 41-year-old Emma Lovell and her 43-year-old husband Lee were attacked after confronting the 17-year-olds who had allegedly broken into their North Lakes house about 11.30pm on Monday.
Ms Lovell was stabbed in the chest and he was stabbed in the back, and both were rushed to hospital, but she died not long after being admitted.
‘We were confronted with a horrific scene, paramedics did all they possibly could, but unfortunately, the lady passed away when she was admitted to the hospital,’ Det Snr Sgr Hogan told reporters.
Lee Lovell (right) is mourning the tragic death of his wife Emma (left) who died during a violent home invasion late on Boxing Day
British expat Emma Lovell leaves behind two young daughters who watched in horro as paramedics tried to revive her
Police dog squad officers caught four males, aged 18, 16 and two aged 17 nearby about four hours later.
The two 17-year-olds, from Zillmere and Holland Park, have been charged with murder, attempted murder and entering a dwelling with intent on Tuesday.
They’ve been refused bail and are set to appear in Brisbane Childrens Court on Wednesday.
The oldest and youngest males, who were also arrested, are still being questioned by detectives.
Det Snr Sgr Hogan the four males had no links to the Lovells, and the reason they allegedly entered their home and alleged murder weapon are still being probed.
‘They (the couple) disturbed the offenders inside the dwelling, they were woken by … barking dogs,’ he said.
Shattered neighbours left tributes to their ‘beautiful friend’ outside the North Lakes home
The North Lakes community has rallied around Ms Lovell’s shattered husband Lee (right) and their two daughters
‘They disturbed them (the pair) inside the dwelling, and yes they (the Lovells) were defending their house.’
Neighbours heard and saw two girls, believed to be the Lovells’ daughters, screaming ‘someone help my Mum’ as paramedics tried to save the woman, the Brisbane Times reported.
The day before the incident, the Lovell family had enjoyed a Christmas outing at Point Cartwright on the Sunshine Coast.
‘So for the 1st time in 11 years we spent Christmas day on the beach, even managed to cook up some bacon and eggs! Hope everyone has a great Christmas day spent with loved ones and friends,’ Mr Lovell wrote in a Facebook post.
Det Snr Sgt Hogan said the Lovell family were ‘absolutely traumatised and shattered’ by the loss of their wife and mother, and the broader community was in mourning.
‘This is a terribly sad day that someone’s life has been taken in this way; I still struggle to understand why these types of violent crimes occur, and it’s occurred again, and we need to work together as a community to say no to this type of violence,’ he added.
‘And also support each other when it occurs and do something to try and defer or deter people from committing those types of offences.’
As police prepared to charge two teens with murder, officers remained at the cordoned- off home in North Lakes on Tuesday
Final family photo: The Lovells celebrated a beach Christmas hours before intruders allegedly broke into their home
An online fundraiser has already raised almost $7,500 for Ms Lovell’s grieving within hours.
Located 33km north of Brisbane, North Lakes is home to almost 23,500 residents.
‘The North Lakes Community are supporting the Lovell family during this difficult time. Although the financial support won’t bring Emma back, hopefully we can provide the family with some time to mourn the loss of a wife and mother,’ the page says.
‘Emma leaves behind her husband Lee and two daughters, who are now faced with the unimaginable loss of their beloved wife and mother.
‘In this difficult time, as a community lets help support Lee and the girls as they navigate through this heartbreaking tragedy.’
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