Teenage boys charged with murder of Suffolk mum of two living in Australia
Her husband described her as "such a beautiful person"
Last updated 29th Dec 2022
Two teenage boys have been charged with the murder of a British mother-of-two in Australia on Boxing Day.
Emma Lovell, 41, and her husband Lee, 43, originally from Ipswich in Suffolk, were allegedly attacked when they were defending their house from intruders.
The 17-year-olds appeared in court this morning - and are also accused of the attempted murder of Mr Lovell, who was treated for stab wounds.
Superintendent John Hallam, from Moreton Police, told reporters Mr and Mrs Lovell were "disturbed inside the dwelling and were defending their house" at 11.30pm on Monday when they confronted the teenagers.
Police said in a statement that the altercation moved out to the front yard, where Mrs Lovell was allegedly fatally stabbed in the chest.
Returning home from the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital after treatment for a non-life threatening stab wound, a visibly upset Mr Lovell said his family was "devastated".
"Emma was the glue to our family," the 43-year-old told reporters.
"She was such a beautiful person. We're all just devastated from her loss.
"It's senseless. I don't know what people do it for."
The Lovells are parents to two daughters, with Mr Lovell previously sharing photographs on social media of them together at a nearby Sunshine Coast beach on Christmas Day.
Family friend Skyle Fleming, 14, described Mrs Lovell as "amazing".
"She was always a good mum, she was always laughing, always smiling - she was always there to support her daughters throughout everything," Skyle told 7News.
Police allege the teenage boys had run off after the stabbings and were found, with the assistance of the dog squad, with two other youths nearby just before 4am on Tuesday.
The two 17-year-old boys, one from Brisbane's Holland Park and the other from the city's Zillmere, will face Brisbane Children's Court on Wednesday charged with one count each of murder, attempted murder and enter dwelling with intent in company.
Both have been denied bail, while a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy continue to assist police with inquiries.
A fundraiser set up for the Lovell family had raised nearly £24,000 pounds by 2am on Wednesday.