Two teenagers have been charged with murdering a British woman in Australia, as her best friend said she died in a “heroic act, trying to keep her babies safe”.
The 17-year-olds appeared in court charged with the murder of Emma Lovell, 41, and the attempted murder of her husband, Lee Lovell, 43.
The couple, originally from Ipswich, were attacked on Boxing Day at their home in North Lakes, 30 miles north of Brisbane.
Superintendent John Hallam said the couple were “disturbed inside the home and defending their home” at 11:30 p.m. when they confronted the teens.
Police said the altercation moved to the front yard, where Ms Lovell was allegedly fatally stabbed in the chest.
Emma and Lee Lovell were attacked at their home in Australia
Lovell was treated for a non-life-threatening stab wound and later said his family was “devastated”.
“She was such a beautiful person. We are all devastated by her loss,” he said.
“It doesn’t make sense. I don’t know why people do it.”
The Lovells have two daughters and recently shared photos of the family at the beach on Christmas Day.
They had reportedly been in Australia for over 10 years.
Christina Lofthouse told Sky News that she had recently gone to visit the family and they had a “beautiful life”.
“It’s heartbreaking to think that my best friend breathed her last because someone decided she needed what was in her house,” she said.
“Someone decided that I had the right to enter your house…”
Christina Lofthouse says her friend died trying to protect her family
Speaking about Mr Lovell, he said: “He’ll miss out. Emma was his rock, his world. They had been together since she was 19.”
He said the couple’s daughters were “incredibly strong” and that he had recently spoken to them via video call.
“I just need to wrap my arms around them because I know that’s what Emma would want,” she told Sky News.
“Emma would want them protected, that’s what she did. She died protecting them. She died getting those people out of the house so they couldn’t get near them.”
Lofthouse said she had known Emma Lovell since she was 11 years old, describing her as “the best friend you could wish for”.
Police allege the teens fled after the stabbings and were found, with the help of the dog squad, with two other youths nearby just before 4 a.m. Tuesday.
The two 17-year-olds appeared before Brisbane Children’s Court on Wednesday charged with one count each of murder, attempted murder and trespassing with intent to accompany.
They have been denied bail and will appear in court on January 16, ABC News in Australia reported.
Meanwhile, another 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy continue to help the police with investigations.
Police have reportedly confirmed that the four minors were previously known to officers.
Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon said the circumstances that led to the teens going to the North Lakes home were still under police investigation.
She told reporters in Australia: “We need to know why the young people were on that street at that particular time on that particular night and that is under investigation and it’s not a matter I’m going to comment on.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser set up for the Lovell family had raised just over £26,000 as of 7am UK time on Wednesday.
