Police probe multiple alleged homicides across Queensland and New South Wales
The cases do not appear to be connected, and police are conducting separate investigations into each matter.
Mareeba Domestic Violence Incident
Discovery and Charges
Police were called to a Downs Street property in Mareeba, Queensland, at approximately 7:15 AM on Wednesday, after a 54-year-old woman's son contacted authorities. Officers located the woman deceased on a verandah with injuries to her upper body and head.
A 34-year-old man was taken into custody at the scene. Police have described the relationship between the man and woman as "intrafamilial." The man has been charged with:
- One count of murder as a domestic violence offence
- Misconduct of a corpse
- Contravening a domestic violence order
Police Allegations
Detective Inspector Kevin Goan stated that police will allege an altercation occurred at the property the night before the discovery. Police will allege the woman sustained life-threatening injuries during the altercation and that there was an attempt to conceal the death. Goan stated the 34-year-old man was the only person of interest in the investigation and that no one else was present at the time of the alleged incident.
Legal Proceedings
The accused man was refused police bail and is scheduled to appear in Atherton Magistrates Court on April 17.
Police Appeal
A crime scene was established at the property. Authorities are appealing for anyone in the Downs Street vicinity with information or relevant vision to come forward. Support services are being offered to the woman's family.
Dimbulah Incident
Incident Overview
A 37-year-old man from Dimbulah, approximately two hours west of Cairns in Far North Queensland, has been charged with murder and misconduct with a corpse by interfering following the death of a 70-year-old man. The charges are classified as domestic violence offences.
Discovery and Investigation
Police discovered human remains at a rural property on Stock Road, Dimbulah, on March 24 at approximately 8 PM during a welfare check. Officers arriving at the scene observed a fire burning on the property, which contained what they believed to be human remains.
Detective Inspector Jason Chetham stated that police allege the 70-year-old man's death occurred on March 23 following an altercation between the two men at the Stock Road residence. Police further allege that the victim's body was burned after the death. The two men, who were related through marriage, were reportedly the sole occupants of the property.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
The accused was taken into custody in Mareeba on March 31 at approximately 2 PM. He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in Mareeba Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Police Appeal
Authorities continue to appeal for anyone with information relevant to the case to come forward.
Childers and North Isis Attacks
Incident Overview
A 36-year-old man, Richard Zoltan Babos, has been charged with multiple offenses following a series of alleged attacks in the Queensland towns of Childers and North Isis.
Chronology of Alleged Events
Glenorchy (approximately 1:45 PM): Police allege Babos was involved in a crash on the Bruce Highway at Glenorchy, approximately 70 km south of Childers. He is alleged to have deliberately reversed into a Tesla before verbally abusing the driver and driving off.
Childers (approximately 2:30 PM): Police allege Babos was driving a Subaru Liberty on North Street, Childers, when he reversed into a Mitsubishi Pajero. When the Mitsubishi driver, a 65-year-old Howard man, exited his vehicle, the Subaru driver allegedly reversed into him, exited his car, punched him several times, and left.
North Isis (approximately 2:38 PM): Police allege Babos drove on Whitebridge Road, North Isis, where he exited his car and punched a 78-year-old pedestrian, Lawrence Elliott, in the head before hitting him with a metal pole. The victim sustained critical injuries and died at the scene.
Childers: Police allege Babos also drove to Crescent Street at the intersection of Lord Street in Childers and assaulted a 66-year-old man.
Arrest
Members of the public restrained Babos until police arrived and arrested him.
Charges
Babos has been charged with:
- One count of murder
- One count of attempted murder
- Acts intended to maim/disfigure/disable
- Dangerous operation of a vehicle
- Evasion
Police stated that none of the victims are believed to have been known to the accused.
Background and Mental Health Context
According to reports, Babos was receiving treatment at a mental health facility and was discharged two days before the alleged incidents. He was taken to Caboolture Hospital emergency department under an emergency examination authority on May 25 and was discharged that evening. Upon discharge, he was referred for follow-up care with a general practitioner.
Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls has ordered an internal investigation into the assessment, treatment, and discharge of Babos. Nicholls stated the probe aims to ensure all "appropriate clinical and legislative steps were complied with."
Legal Proceedings
Babos appeared in Gladstone Magistrates Court. His case was adjourned to Bundaberg on August 25.
Police Appeal
Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen a grey-silver Subaru driving erratically between the Sunshine Coast and Childers between 11:00 AM and 2:50 PM on May 27. Three crime scenes have been declared in Childers.
Windale (New South Wales) Incident
Incident Overview
Emergency services responded to a home on Merrigum Street in Windale, Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, after a triple-0 call reporting a stabbing at approximately 8:00 PM on Saturday.
Discovery and Arrest
On arrival, police arrested a 25-year-old man, Blaise McIntyre, outside the property. Inside the home, police located the body of a woman, believed to be in her 40s, with multiple injuries including stab wounds. Paramedics attempted resuscitation, but the woman was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
McIntyre was charged with murder (domestic violence). A household knife was seized from the home for forensic examination. McIntyre was refused bail and is scheduled to appear in court.
Police Statements
NSW Police Superintendent Tracy Chapman stated it is believed the deceased woman and the accused man are mother and son. Chapman stated the son is believed to have made the initial triple-0 call. According to Chapman, there is no known history of domestic violence reports involving the two individuals, and the man had very limited prior interactions with police.
Gooburrum Incident
Incident Overview
Emergency services responded to a call at a home on Moore Park Road, Gooburrum, on Friday evening.
Discovery and Charges
At the property, a 42-year-old man was found deceased with a serious head injury. A 33-year-old man from Bundaberg North was taken into custody and charged with one count of murder. Police stated the two men were known to each other.
Legal Proceedings
The accused was refused police bail and is scheduled to appear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court. Language interpreters are assisting.
Argenton Incident (New South Wales)
Incident Overview
In a separate incident, police are investigating the death of a man in his 40s at a home on Montgomery Street in Argenton, near Newcastle, around 4:00 AM on Saturday.
Details
The man was found with stab wounds. Paramedics treated him, but he died at the scene. Police stated it is alleged that six to eight offenders forced entry into the home. Superintendent Chapman stated it is believed the incident was a targeted attack and that the alleged offenders were wearing dark clothing and face coverings.
Investigation Status
No arrests have been made. The weapon used has not been identified. Investigations are ongoing.