Tributes flow for Stephen Mowchanuk, as neighbour prepares to fight murder charge

The man accused of murdering Stephen Mowchanuk – whose body was found in his Brisbane home on Sunday – is expected to fight the charge.

A Bracken Ridge man accused of murdering his neighbour will fight the charge according to his lawyer.

Anthony John Cameron-Daisley had his matter briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning.

The 28-year-old has been charged with the murder of Stephen Mowchanuk.

Mr Mowchanuk, 39, was found deceased in his home on Wobur Street Bracken Ridge on January 31.

Cameron-Daisley did not appear in court and the matter was adjourned to March 1.

Outside court his lawyer Kate Fuller said her client would contest the charge.

The man found dead in a Brisbane home in what police are treating as a murder has been identified as 39-year-old Stephen Mowchanuk.

It comes after police charged one of Stephen Mowchanuk’s neighbours with his murder on Monday, after detectives confirmed Mr Mowchanuk’s horrific death was the result of significant blunt force trauma to the head.

Police allege the offender is a 28-year-old Bracken Ridge man, who lives across the road from the home Mr Mowchanuk shared with his mother in Brisbane’s northeast.

According to Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Ziebarth, a large metal object was located at the scene and has been taken as evidence, believed to be the alleged murder weapon.

Police continue to investigate, however they understand someone entered Mr Mowchanuk’s Wobur St home between midnight and 2am on January 31.

A man was arrested on Monday morning at his home by detectives.

The street was this morning full of forensic officers as both the home of Mr Mowchanuk, and the alleged offender’s home were blocked by police tape.

“No one wants this sort of thing to happen in their street anywhere, but it’s obviously upsetting to all members of the community as well as the victim’s family,” Det Sen Sgt Ziebarth said of the incident on the usually quiet suburban street.

Police continue to call for members of the community to come forward with information, as investigations continue.

The alleged offender will front Brisbane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, charged with one count of murder.

Police attend the Bracken Ridge murder scene. Picture: Steve Pohlner.

Earlier, The Courier-Mail reported that Mr Mowchanuk was found by his mother when she returned to the pair’s Bracken Ridge home about midday on Sunday, with police saying he was found in a pool of blood.

According to public records, Stephen owned a lawn mowing business registered to the Wobur St home, where it’s understood he and his mother both lived.

Writing about her son’s tragic passing on social media on Sunday night, Megan Mowchanuk revealed she made the heartbreaking discovery and posted a photo of Stephen.

“As some of you may be aware already, Stephen was murdered last night. I found him this morning. Police are investigating,” she wrote.

In further comments on Monday, Ms Mowchanuk revealed how she “can’t understand” how something like this would happen to Stephen.

“An accidental death would be terrible but I could come to terms with that. As it is I just keep going round and round in my head,” she said in her post.

“It was so horrible to find him like that.”

She also gave insight into how initial police investigations into the death are proceeding, admitting “we have no clue” as to how it happened.

“The police are throwing huge manpower into the investigation but there is nothing to go on,” she revealed.

“Stephen was harmless and only wanted to help people.”

The post has triggered an outpouring of support and condolences from family friends, with some calling the news “shocking”.

“I’m so terribly sorry to hear this shocking news. You are in my thoughts,” one person commented.

“My heart is broken. I’m hugging you tight,” another added.

“Megan my deepest condolences we are sending you our love, we are here for you.”

Others have also paid tribute to how Stephen was “a good friend”, how he “was such a sweet man” and that “he will be missed by so many”.

A witness being taken away for questioning by police. Picture: John Gass

“This is such sad and tragic news – he was a lovely man.” a commenter wrote.

“He was such a sweet man. My thoughts go out to you and your family. I have such wonderful memories of Steve,” another added.

The comments follow reactions from neighbours along Wobur Street yesterday, revealing that Steven was “so inquisitive” and he “loved machinery”.

“Anytime he’d see us mow the lawn he’d be interested or watching, or if there was any type of machinery around the neighbourhood,” one neighbour said.

“You could tell he really fascinated with things like that.”