Warana man Zdravko Bilic found stabbed to death outside $2.5m+ home

The partner of a prominent skincare business owner may have been stabbed outside his luxury beachfront home up to 20 hours before he was found after his wife raised the alarm, police have revealed.

Zdravko Bilic was found stabbed to death by a neighbour. He and partner Gry Susann Tomte, pictured left, bought the beautiful beachfront home in 2021.

The partner of a prominent skincare business owner may have been stabbed outside his luxury beachfront home up to 20 hours before he was found after his wife raised the alarm, police have revealed.

Police and emergency services were called to the Napalle Street address in Warana, on the Sunshine Coast, about 7.30pm on Monday following reports a man had collapsed.

The man’s wife Gry Susann Tomte, a successful businesswoman, was not on the Sunshine Coast at the time of incident and called a neighbour to check on him when she became concerned.

This led to the resident checking on 57-year-old Zdravko (Zed) Bilic who found the homeowner dead in his front yard with two stab wounds to his abdomen.

Detective Inspector Chris Toohey would not be drawn on specifics of the case due to the early stage of investigations, including if the murder weapon was found, how many people were involved, if there were signs of a break in or if there were any suspects.

The senior Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch detective said it was believed Mr Bilic was killed between 11pm on Sunday and 7.30pm on Monday.

He urged those with CCTV in the immediate area of the crime scene or anyone with information to contact police.

Police at Napalle St at Warana. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Police were now investigating a number of lines of inquiry including the possibility Mr Bilic disturbed an attempted break and enter.

No suspects were in custody.

A crime scene has been declared after a man was found dead on the Sunshine Coast, Napalle Street, Warana. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Inspector Toohey said the victim was a valued member of the community who was well loved in the area, with his wife going through an “extremely difficult” time following her husband’s death.

Napalle St residents Zdravko Bilic and Gry Tomte.

Ms Tomte and Mr Bilic purchased the five-bedroom, three-bathroom home for $2.5 million in 2021, settling on the property in March 2022.

As well as posts promoting her business, the high-flying couple have shared videos of their beautiful dog on the beach at Warana along with trips overseas including to New York.

Sunshine Coast businessman Zdravko Bilic has been murdered while his wife Gry Tomte was interstate on business. Picture: Facebook

Ms Tomte founded Melbourne-based skincare clinic HUD Skin and Body, with locations in St Kilda and Northcote.

Ms Tomte started her skincare brands after moving to Melbourne from Norway after having to deal with a bad case of acne which lasted for years.

She’s been described as ‘an incredible entrepreneur in her own right’, who cultivated a thriving multi-million dollar business, with high profile clientele and countless awards.

In a previous profile piece, Ms Tomte said her “husband is the most supportive human I could ever ask for”.

A crime scene has been declared at the Warana home. Picture: Patrick Woods

“It’s not easy living with a perfectionist who lives and breathes work … But he is the yin to my yang. The calm to my storm.

“Especially being that we have no family here, the two of us have always been a strong unit.”

Napalle St residents Zdravko Bilic and Gry Tomte.

Ms Tomte, who declined to be interviewed, was slated to speak at the Brisbane Aesthetic Summit next week, according to an Instagram post she shared.

She also spoken out about Covid-19 lockdowns which cost businesses, particularly in Victoria, millions.

Crime scene tape had been put outside the two-storey home which had a BMW convertible among the two cars parked on the driveway.

HUD owner Gry Tomte developed her skincare business after suffering acne herself after moving to Australia. Picture: Jay Town

The death has stunned locals with Warana regarded as one of the better areas of the Sunshine Coast, well known for its stunning beaches, up-market homes and community spirit.

In recent years, some substantial renovation projects have been carried out with older homes knocked down to make way for multimillion-dollar properties.

The median house price in Warana, which is part of the Kawana Waters stretch, is about $1.5m while just under 4000 people live there.

According to a crime map site for Australia, Warana is regarded as one of the safest places to live in the country with very few violent crimes.

If you have information that can help police, contact Policelink via the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

Originally published as Warana man Zdravko Bilic found stabbed to death outside $2.5m+ home