Two 17-year-old boys charged with Qld mum’s murder
The husband of an “amazing” mother who was allegedly killed during a violent and shocking home invasion has expressed his disbelief at the “senseless” loss of life.
Emma Lovell, 41, and her husband Lee, 43, were attacked after confronting two teenagers who had allegedly broken into their home north of Brisbane about 11.30pm on Monday.
Two 17-year-olds are due to face court on Wednesday charged with the alleged murder of Ms Lovell and attempted murder of her husband.
Ms Lovell, a mother of two daughters, was allegedly stabbed in the chest and died not long after being rushed to hospital.
Mr Lovell was allegedly stabbed in the back.
“We were confronted with a horrific scene,” Superintendent Hallam said.
“Paramedics did all they possibly could, but unfortunately, the lady passed away when she was admitted to the hospital.”
Police dog squad officers caught four males, aged 18, 16 and two aged 17, nearby about four hours later.
Mr Lovell spoke briefly to media when he returned to the family home on Tuesday.
“Emma was the glue to my family, she was such a beautiful person,” he told the ABC.
“We are all just devastated by her loss, it’s senseless.”
Emma Lovell was the glue of her family. Photo: Facebook
The two alleged killers, from Zillmere and Holland Park, have been charged with murder, attempted murder, and entering a dwelling with intent on Tuesday.
They have been refused bail and are set to appear in Brisbane Children’s Court on Wednesday.
The oldest and youngest males, who were also arrested, are still being questioned by detectives.
Woken by dogs
Superintendent Hallam said 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.
“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.
Emma and Lee Lovell. Photo: Facebook
Superintendent Hallam said the Lovell family was “absolutely traumatised and shattered” by the loss of a 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.”
Superintendent John Hallam hasn’t ruled out further charges over the incident.
“The investigation is ongoing, it hasn’t ended,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“I’m quite sure as the detectives work through the work they need to do, if they find more offences there, people will be charged, more charges will be laid.”