Two youths will be charged as a close-knit community rallies around a grieving family as they mourn the devastating death of a wife and mother killed in a violent home invasion.
Emma Lovell, 41, and her husband Lee, 43, were inside their North Lakes home, north of Brisbane, on Monday night when intruders allegedly forced their way inside.
The Lovells confronted them, and a scuffle allegedly broke out on the front porch, with neighbours woken by their daughters’ frantic screams as they watched on in horror.
The couple were rushed to hospital where Ms Lovell later died.
Two youths, both 17 from Zillmere and Holland Park will be charged later today with murder, attempted murder and break-and-enter later on Tuesday.
Two other teenagers have been taken into custody as investigations continue.
Lee Lovell (right) is mourning the tragic death of his wife Emma (left) who was allegedly murdered during a violent home invasion
Queensland Police Superintendent John Hallam said a confrontation allegedly occurred in the house between the Lovells and the intruders, with Mrs Lovell fatally wounded in the front yard.
An online fundraiser has already raised almost $7,500 for Ms Lovell’s grieving within hours.
‘The North Lakes Community are supporting the Lovell family during this difficult time. Although the financial support won’t bring Emma back, hopefully we can provide the family with some time to mourn the loss of a wife and mother,’ the page states
‘Emma leaves behind her husband Lee and two daughters, who are now faced with the unimaginable loss of their beloved wife and mother.
‘In this difficult time, as a community lets help support Lee and the girls as they navigate through this heartbreaking tragedy.
‘Any donations, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated and will go towards helping the family with expenses during this difficult time.
‘Please keep the Lovell family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.’
British expat Emma Lovell leaves behind two young daughters who watched in horro as paramedics tried to revive her
Shattered neighbours left tributes to their ‘beautiful friend’ outside the North Lakes home
The online fundraiser has been inundated with tributes and condolence message as donations continue to pour in.
‘Sincere condolences from our family during this extremely difficult time. We are all still in shock,’ one woman wrote.
One friend added: Condolences Lee and your beautiful girls Emma was a wonderful person.
Police will allege Ms Lovell was stabbed in the chest while her husband suffered wounds to his back.
It’s understood the alleged intruders had no links to the Lovells.
‘They (the couple) disturbed the offenders inside the dwelling, they were woken by … barking dogs,’ Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Hogan told reporters.
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‘They disturbed them (the pair) inside the dwelling, and yes they (the Lovells) were defending their house.’
Neighbours heard the Lovells’ daughters, screaming ‘someone help my Mum’ as paramedics tried to save their mum’s life.
The North Lakes community has rallied around Ms Lovell’s shattered husband Lee (right) and their two daughters
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,’ her husband wrote in a Facebook post.
One family friend described Ms Lovell as her ‘second mum’
‘Emma – she was amazing, she was always a good mum, she was always laughing, always smiling,’ the girl told The Courier Mail.
‘She was always there to support her daughters throughout everything – she considered everyone family,
‘When I saw it was Emma, I broke – it’s such a tragic thing.’
As police prepared to charge two teens with murder, officers remained at the cordoned- off home in North Lakes on Tuesday
Originally from the UK, the couple fell in love when they first came to Australia in 2002 as they travelled along the east coast.
On a post about a visit to a distillery on Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast hinterland in February 2013, Mr Lovell recommended the life-changing move to interested friends back in the UK.
While it cost thousands to set up their new life, the Lovells had no regrets.
‘It is amazing over here, being able to go to the beach, swim in warm water, using free BBQs etc, but it’s hard not being around friends and family,’ Mr Lovell wrote.
‘We only have one life, so go for it and don’t have any regrets.
‘It can be expensive to get here but as a tradie you can earn good money, just be ready to start work early and I mean 6am if not earlier, but then you get to leave 3pmish.
‘Oz is a big place but Brisbane is a pretty good place to be, the weather is bearable and we’re not too far from the sunshine coast or gold coast, both have really good beaches and are family friendly.’
Mr Lovell added within the comments their eldest daughter had just started kindergarten at the time and would start school the following year.
‘Emma and I came out here travelling in 2002 and mainly done the east coast so we had a pretty good idea of what it was going to be like,’ he wrote.
‘Don’t be put off though because first time on a beach and seeing how happy (and getting red) your kids are it’ll all be worth it.’
Final family photo: The Lovells celebrated a beach Christmas hours before intruders allegedly broke into their home
