Friend tells of Janet Guthrie’s final days before alleged murder

A friend of a woman allegedly murdered on Bribie Island last week has revealed detailed information about her final days before police found her body inside a Bongaree home.

Janet Guthrie was allegedly murdered at her Bongaree property. Photo: Supplied

A friend of a woman allegedly murdered in her Bribie Island home last week has revealed detailed information about what the mum-of-two’s final days were like before police found her body at the house.

Bribie Island mum-of-two Janet Guthrie, 51, who had recently moved from Cairns, had been to visit local hairdresser and friend Sharon Henderson just days before her death.

“She’s been here (for her hair) three times since she lived on the island,” Ms Henderson said.

“I think that last visit on the eleventh (of February), she opened up quite a lot.

“I just asked her if she had done anything nice for Valentines day and she said oh no I’m just going through a break-up.

“They were in contact, they were trying to sort things out financially.

“She was a new client, she really loved the island and it was just a conversation I had that day on the eleventh.

“I said was there any chance of reconciling and (she) said no.

“She worked a lot, she was a big career girl.

“I think she was dealing with this and it took up a lot of her (energy).

“She was not quiet, she was really smart, really bright and friendly and a very beautiful lady, so polite.”

Ms Guthrie, understood to have worked in advocacy roles for women and Indigenous people as well as the aged-care industry, was found dead in her Bongaree home in a “very confronting” scene on February 16 — a day after her Melia St neighbours allegedly heard a disturbance.

Police said neighbours did not call police until the following day and Ms Guthrie’s body was found when officers arrived to conduct a welfare check.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family of Janet Guthrie. Picture: GoFundMe

The small community has been left reeling after the death.

Bribie Island Hotel manager Shaun Rowe said although Ms Guthrie was only a local for a short time, the community felt an extreme loss.

“I guess it’s a bit of a shock, it’s always like that in a small place like Bribie,” Mr Rowe said.

“On Bribie it’s a small tight-knit community.

“It happened just five minutes down the road.”

Melisa Drummond-Anderson, founder of organisation Blaq Diamonds Women Empowerment, posted on Facebook about the loss of her dear friend and supporter.

“I usually post positive, inspirational, motivational, informative and educational messages on my page but on this occasion, I need to inform you that we have sadly, suddenly and tragically lost a sista,” Ms Drummond-Anderson said.

“This one here hits close to home and heart for me because she’s a dear friend who has supported my Blaq Diamonds journey and had recently relocated from Cairns to Bribie Island, Sunshine Coast (sic) to start a new job and new life.

The scene of a home on Milea St, Bongaree where police found a 51-year-old woman dead in her home.

“Our sista was very community-minded and had a passion to help those in need, especially our First Nations People.

“We had been in contact a few months back and had planned to meet up for lunch once she got settled because we had so much to talk about … sadly that’s never going to happen now.”

Many friends and family of Ms Guthrie took to social media to share their shock.

“I know you weren’t ready to go,” Bev Sabiston said.

“My favourite thing about you was you were a #girlmom and you loved yours so much.

“Fly high lalokau.”

A woman named Izzy Mills shared her tribute on Facebook to Ms Guthrie who said she was a “mother figure” to her.

“I’ve held off for a few days because again I’m lost for words,” Ms Mills said.

“First off may the purest of souls Janet Guthrie spread her Angel wings and rest easy with our other loved ones.

“I will miss your charismatic and happy personality, along with your open warm hugs.

“I love you Janet just like another mother figure and you’ll never be forgotten, we will share on your life in happy memories forever.”

Family and friends of Ms Guthrie have set up a GoFundMe page to support her two daughters who she leaves behind.

Detectives have charged a 47-year-old Caboolture man with Ms Guthrie’s murder.

He also faces charges of entering a dwelling with intent, robbery, and contravening an order about information necessary to access information stored electronically.

His matter was mentioned in Caboolture Magistrates court Wednesday, February 22.