Sister of pregnant Brisbane woman killed in horror crash says her heart will ‘forever ache’

In a heart-wrenching tribute, the sister of a pregnant woman killed in a horror crash with her partner said she’d ‘do anything’ to see them again.

The sister of Kate Leadbetter, who was killed alongside her partner Matty Field while walking their dogs near their home on Brisbane’s bayside on Tuesday, has taken to social media to remember the pair, saying her heart will “forever ache”.

The couple and their unborn son died after they were hit by an allegedly stolen car that police allege was driven by a 17-year-old in Alexandra Hills on Tuesday evening.

The juvenile has since been charged with the couple’s murder and a raft of other offences, and police have revealed there could be precedent to charge him with a third count of homicide.

Last night, the community rallied together to hold a candlelight vigil for the pair, while Ms Leadbetter’s younger sister shared photos and a touching tribute online, saying she found comfort in the fact the pair had died “together”.

Matty Field and Kate Leadbetter were expecting their first child when they were tragically killed in an accident at Alexandra Hills on Tuesday. Facebook

“(It) still doesn’t feel real. You never really expect to lose three people you love so much without any warning,” she wrote.

“It’s one of those things you hear about but never think will happen to you and your family.

“When I say I genuinely can’t process this, I mean it … I would do anything to hear her laugh one last time and to have Matt pick on me over something stupid only a brother would pick on.

“They were two of the greatest people on this earth and were so happy, it’s the happiest I’ve ever seen the both of them.

“I find comfort in knowing they passed doing something they love and doing it together.

“My heart will forever ache and I’m going to miss them both more than any words could explain, but I will live every day for them and make them proud.”

Dozens of people paid their respects to the pair at a candlelight vigil on Wednesday night. Picture: Richard Walker

On Wednesday night, Ms Leadbetter’s aunt and uncle made a desperate plea to firm up youth offending laws, as they remembered their niece as “everything that’s beautiful in this world.”

“I remember Kate as my flower girl … That was my nicest memory of Kate,” Danielle Leadbetter said from a roadside vigil on Wednesday.

Dozens of cards, floral tributes and gifts were left at the crash site on Wednesday, as the community mourned the tragic loss.

Kate Leadbetter was pregnant with her and Matty Field’s first child when they were hit by an allegedly stolen car while walking their dogs.

Esteemed Brisbane bayside school Iona College has paid tribute to Matty Field, who was a former student.

“It is with genuine sadness that we ask you to all keep the families and friends of Matt Field (Class of 2000), Kate Leadbetter and their precious unborn child in your prayers after they all died as a result of the horrific incident in Alexandra Hills on January 26,” Iona College’s Facebook post read.

“We also remember Matt’s brother Andrew (Class of 1998) in our prayers during this very sad time.

“Words cannot express our sadness, shock and anger at this senseless, reckless and terrible sequence of events.”

Iona College, in Wynnum, is renowned for keeping past students in contact with the college and fellow students.

The school’s website reads: “once an Ionian, always an Ionian”.

Meanwhile, two GoFundMe accounts set up to support the couple’s family have passed their goals.

The first, set up to cover funeral costs, surpassed its $5000 goal on Wednesday night, and by Thursday morning more than $10,000 had been raised.

Organiser James Bellwood, a local who witnessed the crash, said “any amount will help.”

“Thank you for everything. The community is really coming together,” he wrote.

Another fundraiser was set up to support the couple’s dog, Frankie, who bolted from the scene before he was found “deep in bushland” on Wednesday morning. She has Addison’s disease and required urgent veterinary care.

However, the local vet waived Frankie’s fees, so the more than $7000 raised on that fundraiser will also go to help cover funeral costs.

The sister of Kate Leadbetter has thanked those who have donated to a GoFundMe set up to help the families cover funeral costs.

Ms Leadbetter’s sister thanked everyone who had donated.

“The love you have all shown me, my family and Matt’s family has been so real and so moving and I’m very grateful that there (are) still good people in this world,” she wrote.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk extended her condolences to the Leadbetter and Field families on Thursday morning, saying she wants answers as to how it happened.

“Everybody’s heart’s breaking and I really extend my sympathies to the family of Kate and Matthew,” she told Channel 9.

“It is an absolute tragedy. It’s absolutely horrific, and things like this should never happen.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison took to Facebook on Wednesday night to pay his respects to the couple, saying he was heartbroken for their family and friends.

“Three beautiful young lives gone in the blink of an eye. I cannot begin to imagine the grief their families are feeling,” he wrote.

“I’d like to extend my thanks and support to the first responders and witnesses to this horrific accident who fought so hard to try and save their lives.”

Originally published as Sister of pregnant Brisbane woman killed in horror crash says her heart will ‘forever ache’