In a case that has gripped Australia, the heartbreaking double stabbing in Quakers Hill on December 28 has taken a devastating turn with new revelations from friends and family painting a complex picture of intense love, jealousy, and tragedy. What police initially described as a domestic violence incident has been reframed by those close to the victims as a “love triangle” gone fatally wrong, with one friend quoting the accused as saying: “Sometimes love that is too intense turns into a tragedy.”

The accused, 47-year-old Anare Vunitabua, has been charged with two counts of murder after allegedly stabbing his former partner, Anaseini Waqavuki, 38, multiple times in her Illabo Street home, and fatally injuring her new partner, a 30-year-old man, who died in hospital from abdominal wounds.

Friends of Waqavuki, a beloved mother of Fijian heritage, revealed she had ended her long-term relationship with Vunitabua several months ago, citing emotional strain. “She wanted a fresh start,” one close friend told reporters anonymously. “She met someone new who made her happy, and she thought it was over peacefully with Anare. But the love he had for her was too intense — it turned possessive.”

Sources claim Vunitabua struggled to accept the breakup, maintaining contact despite Waqavuki’s wishes. “He couldn’t let go,” another friend said. “He told people he still loved her deeply and couldn’t imagine her with someone else.” Police confirmed the ex-partners remained in communication, a factor now central to the investigation.

The tragedy unfolded just before 5am on Sunday when Vunitabua allegedly entered the home and attacked the couple. Waqavuki was found dead in the kitchen; her new partner staggered outside before collapsing. Vunitabua handed himself in shortly after, reportedly discarding the knife at a service station.

In a chilling development, friends say Vunitabua confided in them days earlier, expressing despair over the breakup. One recalled him saying: “Sometimes love that is too intense turns into a tragedy” — words now hauntingly prophetic. While not an official confession, the remark has fuelled speculation about premeditation driven by heartbreak.

The Fijian-Australian community has been left reeling, with vigils held for Waqavuki, remembered as a devoted mother planning to bring her children from Fiji for Christmas. Her new partner, described as kind and supportive, leaves behind grieving relatives.

Detective Superintendent Jason Joyce called the case “profoundly disturbing,” noting the violence’s sudden eruption despite no prior police callouts to the address. “This appears rooted in a relationship breakdown,” he said, urging focus on domestic violence warning signs like ongoing contact post-separation.

The incident highlights Australia’s alarming domestic violence crisis, with advocates renewing calls for better support for victims transitioning out of relationships. “Jealousy and control can turn deadly when not addressed,” said a spokesperson from White Ribbon Australia.

As Vunitabua faces court, the “love triangle” narrative — while not excusing the violence — has humanised a tragedy that shocked the nation. Friends stress Waqavuki deserved peace and happiness, not this devastating end.

In a summer meant for celebration, Quakers Hill mourns two lives lost to love turned lethal. The truth, as painful as it is, reminds us: intensity unchecked can indeed become tragedy.