E MAY HAVE BEEN THE ONLY WITNESS TO THE HORROR..! – POLICE REVEAL A TODDLER MAY HAVE SEEN THE TERRIFYING EVENTS BEFORE A PREGNANT WOMAN D!ED IN A SUSPECTED M-U:RDER-S:UICIDE AFTER A SEVEN-HOUR SIEGE.
Detectives have revealed a toddler is the sole survivor and only witness to a horrific murder-suicide during a tense seven-hour police siege in a tiny Queensland town.
The bodies of a pregnant mum-to-be, 23, and a man, 45, were discovered with the toddler inside a home in Charleville, 800km west of Brisbane, early on Thursday morning.
Emergency services were first called to the King St property on Wednesday evening after reports of a serious assault.
Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Matthew Vanderbyl said the child was found at the scene when police first arrived and they rushed in to save him from harm.
‘They were confronted with what was clearly quite a violent crime scene,’ Asst Commissioner Vanderbyl said on Thursday.
‘There were suggestions of further weapons being involved and as a result of that they had to tactically withdraw for their own safety.
‘But as they did, a young child was located at the front stairs of the residence and police put themselves back into harm’s way to remove the child from the premises.
‘It’s quite clear the child may have well witnessed a tragic set of events.’
+3
View gallery
A man and a woman have been found dead in a suspected murder-suicide in Queensland
+3
View gallery
Residents in nearby streets were put under a seven-hour lockdown as officers tried to detain a man who they suspected may be armed
It’s understood the toddler was found with a minor leg laceration and was taken to hospital in a stable condition.
‘The young person is safe,’ he added. ‘I understand it was a toddler who was able to walk, only just of walking age.’
Asst Commissioner Vanderbyl said officers were confronted with a ‘terrible’ scene when they arrived after 5pm.
‘The situation became quite dynamic and quite threatening to police quite quickly and they withdrew to a point of safety,’ he said.
‘Negotiators were engaged at that point and then specialist police were activated from Brisbane.’
As the situation unfolded, police locked down several streets around the home from 5.59pm, ordering residents to stay inside while specialist officers tried to negotiate with a man believed to be armed.
He said it was a ‘very complex’ investigation and he was unable to share any further details on the dead pair’s relationship.
The lockdown remained in place for about seven hours before it was lifted at 1.42am.
+3
View gallery
Southern Region Asst Commissioner Matthew Vanderbyl said police were confronted with a ‘terrible’ scene
No officers or members of the public were injured during the incident.
Murweh Mayor Shaun Radnedge told the Daily Mail the Charleville community has been devastated by the incident.
‘On behalf of Murweh Shire Council, I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the two people who have lost their lives,’ Mr Radnedge said.
Read More
EXCLUSIVE
Helena Wright’s secret condition, ‘church-hopping’ and anti-authority beliefs before killing babies
‘This is a heartbreaking day for Charleville and for the wider Murweh community. We are a close-knit town, and an incident of this nature is felt deeply by many people.
‘The little baby has survived. I don’t know how or don’t know why, but it’s there.’
Mr Radnedge said the council will organise support for the community for the days ahead.
‘Charleville is strong because its people look out for one another,’ he said.
‘In the coming days, I ask everyone to show compassion, avoid speculation and give those directly impacted the privacy and respect they need at this incredibly difficult time.’
Asst Commissioner Vanderbyl echoed the Mayor’s comments.
‘These types of events affect communities badly, let alone small communities,’ he said.
‘It will be something that will have a tragic impact on the wider community of Charleville and the police, friends and relatives of the deceased, who our thoughts remain with today.’
