A Series of Homicides in Queensland: Four Separate Incidents Under Investigation
A series of separate homicide incidents have been reported in Queensland, involving deaths of women and children across multiple locations. Police investigations are ongoing in each case.
Lowood: Woman Charged with Murder of Four-Year-Old Girl
Incident Details
Emergency services responded to a residence on McInnes Street in Lowood, approximately 60 km west of Brisbane, just before 11:10 pm on Monday. A four-year-old girl, identified as Cleo Rose Catterall, was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene.
Charges
On Tuesday, police charged the girl's mother, 31-year-old Jessie Renee Phillips, with one count of murder classified as a domestic violence offense. Phillips appeared at Ipswich Magistrates Court on Tuesday afternoon and was remanded in custody until June 16. She did not enter a plea.
Investigation
Detective Inspector Michael Manago stated the scene was confronting. A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Police confirmed Phillips was the only adult in the home at the time. Two other children of the woman were also present in the house and unharmed. Police are investigating whether any other individuals are linked to the incident. The motive has not been determined.
Buccan: Woman Found Deceased; Man Arrested in NSW
Incident Overview
Police conducting a welfare check discovered the body of a 46-year-old woman at a property on Waterford Tamborine Road in Buccan, south of Brisbane, at approximately 3:00 am on Monday. The woman had sustained injuries.
Background
The woman from Ashgrove was reported missing by family at approximately 1:00 am on Monday. She was last observed in The Gap, Brisbane's western suburbs, around 7:00 pm on Saturday after dropping off a relative.
Person of Interest
Authorities identified the male resident of the Buccan address, a 36-year-old man, as a person of interest. Acting Detective Inspector Justin Anderson stated initial investigations suggest the deceased woman was the man's carer. The man was not present when officers arrived.
Arrest
New South Wales police arrested the 36-year-old Logan man in Kempsey, approximately 370 km from the Buccan residence, in the early hours of Monday morning.
Ongoing Investigation
A crime scene has been established at the Buccan property. The State Emergency Service (SES) provided assistance in searching the five-acre property. A post-mortem examination is anticipated to determine the cause of death. Police investigations are continuing.
Bellbird Park: Homicide Investigation; Woman Charged
Discovery
On February 19, police responded to reports of a disturbance on Beryl Court in Bellbird Park, Ipswich, at approximately 11:30 am. Reports described a person damaging property and interfering with traffic. During the response, officers discovered the body of 42-year-old Katherine Sanowski inside a residence.
Victim Identification
Ms. Sanowski was from Springfield. Police believe her body had been in the home for approximately two weeks prior to discovery, with her death possibly occurring around February 5. Ms. Sanowski did not reside at the Bellbird Park address. She had not been reported missing and was in regular contact with her family.
Charges
A 34-year-old Bellbird Park woman, identified as Logan Valentine Edwards, was located at the scene and transported to a hospital for medical assessment. Detectives subsequently charged Ms. Edwards with one count of murder, classified as a domestic violence offense. Ms. Edwards appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court and remains remanded in custody. The case was adjourned.
Investigation
Police confirmed Ms. Sanowski and Ms. Edwards were known to each other but were not related. Investigators stated there was no known history of domestic violence between them. Detective Inspector Michael Manago stated police do not believe other individuals were involved but are keeping an open mind. Authorities are appealing for anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the vicinity of Beryl Court or who had interactions with Ms. Sanowski during early February to contact police.
Belivah: Woman and Infant Found Deceased; Man Charged
Incident Timeline
Police responded to a Woolworths supermarket on Beaudesert Beenleigh Road at Bannockburn around 7:30 am on Thursday following reports of an injured man. The man, reportedly with a neck wound, had entered the store.
Discovery
Investigations indicated the injured man had traveled to the supermarket from an address in nearby Belivah. Upon attending the Belivah address, officers located the bodies of a 37-year-old woman and an 11-month-old baby girl. Det Supt Chris Ahearn stated both victims sustained critical injuries from an edged weapon.
Circumstances
The injured man, who sustained neck wounds, was struck by a vehicle approximately 300 meters from the Belivah home. Witnesses reported seeing a man running along a footpath covered in blood prior to the collision. A trail of blood was observed from the house along the footpath.
Charges
The injured man was transported to a hospital in serious condition. Police subsequently charged a 38-year-old man, known to the victims, with one count of murder (domestic violence offence) and one count of murder (domestic violence offence against a child). He is scheduled to appear via video link at Brisbane Magistrates Court on March 18 while continuing to receive hospital treatment.
Investigation
Police stated the three individuals — the woman, child, and injured man — constituted a family unit residing in the house. Authorities confirmed there were no existing domestic violence orders involving the couple and stated there is no ongoing threat to the community. Two crime scenes have been established at the Belivah home and on Beaudesert Beenleigh Road. Police are seeking information or dashcam footage from the public.