Community rallies to find slain couple’s pet ‘Frankie’

The family of the couple killed in a horror crash has spoken after the dog they were walking at the time of the horrific incident was found alive but weak in bushland.

There were “tears of relief” when the pet dog of the couple killed in an alleged hit and run was found after a community rallied to find her, scouring streets and bushland.

Matty Field, 37, and Kate Leadbetter, 31, who was believed to have been six months pregnant, had been out walking their dog in Alexandra Hills when they were hit and killed by a Toyota LandCruiser.

The couple’s dog Frankie survived but fled and hadn’t been spotted until she was located more than 2km from the crash scene in Montgomery Drive Park about 11.30am this morning.

A Leadbetter family member told The Courier-Mail that Frankie the dog had since been returned home and they were now focused on dealing with their grief.

“We just want to stick together as a family at the moment and deal with it,” the family member said.

“We want to thank the community for everything they’ve done. Frankie has been returned to the family.”

“We just want our privacy now.”

Redland City councillor Rowanne McKenzie had been out searching with many other residents and said Frankie was found dehydrated and exhausted about 800m into the dense bushland.

“A lot of people had tears when she was found,” Cr McKenzie said.

“Members of the community carried Frankie out to the arms of family members who have taken her to the vet.”

Frankie the dog is found in bushland after it fled a crash which killed its owners. Photo: Mackenzie Ravn/7 News

Queensland Police will allege a 17-year-old Waterford West man was driving the stolen 4WD which smashed into a truck and rolled, hitting the couple at the intersection of Vienna and Finucane roads about 5.30pm yesterday.

BREAKING: Frankie has been found alive! She was being walked by her owners when they were hit and killed in a stolen car crash at Alexandra Hills last night @7NewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/WCpYSFsMmJ

— Mackenzie Ravn (@mackenzieravn) January 27, 2021

The teenager will face Brisbane Children’s Court this morning after he was charged with two counts of murder, one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle (adversely affected by an intoxicating substance), two counts of burglary and one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and attempted unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Frankie had still not been found on Wednesday morning.

Cr McKenzie said earlier this morning that residents had been out looking for the missing dog at all hours.

“The community is obviously devastated by what happened yesterday afternoon and is trying to find a slither of good,” Cr McKenzie said this earlier.

“Many residents have been out looking last night and early this morning for Frankie.”

Many locals had also posted to community Facebook pages to urge others to join in the search for the dog which requires medication for a condition and was feared injured.

One man said he spent three hours out in the bush with a thermal scope looking for Frankie until 2am, while others said they had searched streets and cars into the early hours.

Two pedestrians were killed in the horror crash yesterday afternoon. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Officer in Charge of Capalaba station senior sergeant Dave Candale said earlier this morning that he hoped Frankie would be found soon.

“I’m very much aware that the community in the area has been keeping an eye out,” snr sgt Candale said.

“I’m hopeful that Frankie will be located sooner rather than later.

“It’s an absolute tragedy to lose these people on our roads.”

Footage emerged showing the 4WD was involved in an earlier road rage incident. Picture: Facebook

Shocking footage emerged online yesterday, showing the same car driving erratically and crashing into another vehicle at the same intersection just 20 minutes before the pedestrians were killed.

Anyone who finds Frankie is urged to take her to a local vet or contact Capalaba police on 07 3433 3333.