A British woman has been KIlled to death during a break-in at her home in Australia. Emma Lovell, 41, originally from the Ipswich area, died after confronting intruders at her home in North Lakes, Brisbane, on Boxing Day night, police said.
Her husband Lee Lovell, 43, was also stabbed and treated in hospital.
Queensland Police Service (QPS) confirmed that two boys, aged 17, were arrested and charged with murder.
In a statement, the force said an altercation took place inside an address in Whitfield Crescent at 23:30 UTC and “moved outside to the front yard”.
“Two offenders fled on foot prior to police arrival,” it said, and “investigators, with the assistance of the dog squad, located four teenagers at a nearby location just before 04:00” on 27 December.
Two 17-year-old boys, one from Holland Park and the other Zillmere, the QPS said, were charged with one count each of murder, attempted murder and entering a dwelling with intent in company.
Both have been denied police bail and were due to appear in the Brisbane Children’s Court.
A 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy continue to assist police with inquiries, the force said.
Mr Lovell, whose injuries were non-life threatening, told reporters his family was “devastated”.
“Emma was the glue to our family,” he said
“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 have two daughters.
Mr Lovell, who is from Ipswich, shared photographs on social media of them together at a nearby Sunshine Coast beach on Christmas Day.
