Joan Ryther murder: ‘Screams heard from victim’s home’

A NEIGHBOUR of murder victim Joan Ryther, whose body was found in a front yard, has told a court she heard a scream coming from the pregnant woman’s home the night she was killed.

Joan Ryther’s body was found in the front yard of a Logan home.

A NEIGHBOUR of murder victim Joan Ryther has told a court she heard a scream coming from the pregnant woman’s home the night she was killed.

Andrew Michael Burke has pleaded not guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court to raping and murdering Mrs Ryther and assaulting her, destroying the life of her unborn child, at Leichhardt Street, Logan Central, about 8.45pm on May 21, 2013.

Cory Ryther and wife Joan on their wedding day.

On day three of his trial today, witness Aurora Hodby said she lived across the road from Mrs Ryther and her husband, Cory.

Her husband Stephen Hodby said he was watching the news around 7pm to 7.30pm when he heard the scream, which prompted he and his wife to go out onto their verandah.

“There was a huge scream. It sounded like a woman screaming, a very loud noise,” he said.

Mrs Hodby said she believed the sound had come from across the road.

“To me, it was a woman screaming,” she said.

They both then went back inside, with Mr Hodby telling the court he also heard a “ruckus” later in the evening.

When asked if she was certain the screaming came from the Rythers’ home Mrs Hodby said “to me, yes”.

Mrs Ryther’s body was discovered the next morning, partially clothed and face down in a front yard.

The Crown contends she was raped, most likely with a screwdriver, and strangled.

It is alleged Mrs Ryther was attacked while walking to the McDonald’s store where she worked.

The trial continues tomorrow.

Cory Ryther appealing for information after the grim discovery.