Vigil to be held to celebrate the life of Emma Lovell after North Lakes tragedy

A candlelight vigil and a morning walk have been held for Emma Lovell to celebrate the life and to call for more stringent laws for repeat juvenile offenders.

A candlelight vigil was held on Friday night for Emma Lovell, the mother-of-two who was allegedly murdered during a home invasion at North Lakes on Boxing Day.

It was followed by an ‘Emma’s Law’ walk at Wellington Point this morning.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway said Friday’s vigil was “a silent and respectful gathering” to celebrate the life of Mrs Lovell.

“The intention of this vigil is to celebrate the life of Emma Lovell,” she said.

A large crowd gathered in mourning, despite rain, to celebrate Mrs Lovell.

A woman being consoled at the candlelight vigil at Lake Eden, North Lakes to celebrate the life of Emma Lovell, on Friday, December 30, 2022. Picture: Richard Walker

Her husband, Lee Lovell, and relatives stood with friend Chris Jones who spoke to the crowd on his behalf.

“It’s fantastic to feel the communities support…we want to remember Emma as the loving mother and wife she was,” said Mr Jones.

“So smile and think of Emma.”

Mrs Lovell’s favourite flower, lilies, were laid in front of a candle-lined deck, as white balloons were dispersed.

Emma Lovell died following an alleged Boxing Day home invasion. Source: Facebook.

At the walk, about 60 people gathered at Wellington Point Reserve.

The group, led by Emma’s Law petition organiser Julie West, stood on the sand in the rain for a minutes silence before embarking on their walk.

The sun peeked through the clouds as the group, which included Emma’s sister, took their first steps on the sand.

Ms West said they were fighting for stronger laws.

Walkers out in support for law change in the wake of Emma Lovell's death.

“I’m really, really grateful that the community has got behind this cause. As a community, we’re going to make change,” Ms West said.

“It’s not the courts problem. It’s not the police’s problem. It’s the government’s problem.

“They wrote the law. The law is weak. So we need to get that change. We need to get it changed.”

Carolyn and Ray Hocking, of Victoria Point, were among those who gathered in honour of Emma.

“We feel that something really has to be done with this,” Mrs Hocking said.

The petition was started after the death Mrs Lovell, calling for a legislation to be introduced to mandate judges to incarcerate and not offer bail to violent repeat home offenders has received more signatures than its initial target.

The petition has more than 80,000 signatures with a new target of 150,000.

“Queenslanders want action now, not wait till end of February for parliament to come back,” Ms West wrote in the petition.

“So if you’re sick of youth crime being out of control … stop thinking there is nothing you can do turn up Saturday and be heard.”

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