Emily Thompson mourned as ex-partner faces murder charge
Emily Thompson had only turned 18 two weeks before she was allegedly murdered by her ex-partner and her body was dumped in bushland after their relationship ended, it can be revealed.
Police & Courts
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A young Moreton Bay region woman had only celebrated her 18th birthday two weeks before she was allegedly killed and her body dumped in bushland by her ex-partner after their relationship ended.
Kallangur man Aaron Daniel Mitchelson Huckel, 19, was on Monday remanded in custody over the alleged murder of his ex-partner Emily Nicole Thompson.
Her final post to Instagram on October 8 showed the Pine Rivers State High student – who was just weeks away from graduating – laughing and drinking with her friends on the milestone birthday.
“Loves of my life,” Ms Thompson posted.
A spokeswoman for Ms Thompson’s family, Tracey Pelling, said she was much more than just an 18-year-old woman.
“She is Emily, much-loved daughter, sister, granddaughter, cousin, niece and friend. She has been taken from the family in the worst of circumstances,” Ms Pelling said.
“Emily was a smart, kind-hearted and loving girl. It was never about Emily, it was always about her family and friends.
“She had her whole life ahead of her. Her family is devastated and in shock trying to comprehend how their lives will be without their Emily.
“The investigation is with the QPS and we know it is in safe hands.”
Police allege Ms Thompson met with Mitchelson Huckel at a car park on Bells Pocket Rd at Strathpine about 4.30pm on Saturday.
Her frantic family called police at 7pm when she had not returned home, with police finding Mitchelson Huckel alone at a Nambour service station before arresting him about 8.30pm.
Officers later found Ms Thompson in bushland on a suburban road about 1km from the petrol station about 3am.
Court documents allege the teen was killed where they met at Rob Akers Sports Reserve in Strathpine before being dumped in bushland on the Sunshine Coast.
Pine Rivers State High School principal Doug Watson said the entire school community was “deeply shocked and saddened by the death of one of our students”.
He said Ms Thompson was an “enthusiastic, high-achieving and friendly student who will be greatly missed by all her friends and teachers”.
“Our thoughts and sincere sympathies go out to the family, caregivers, friends and loved ones during this difficult time,” he said.
“Support is being provided to students and staff, and guidance counsellors will remain at the school to provide support in any way they can and for as long as it is needed.”
In her final months alive, Ms Thompson was pictured spending time with friends at parties, a carnival and at the beach.
Ms Thompson also in February shared a collage of photos with friends, including one with her leaning into Mitchelson Huckel as he cups her face and kisses her forehead.
“Family,” the caption for the photos read.
A friend wrote below the photo on Monday: “Last photo gives me chills.”
Mitchelson Huckel, a cashier, has a limited social media presence but began posting videos of himself playing computer games from a young age.
He was also a regular at a Strathpine gaming store which played the popular trading card game Magic.
He regularly posted to the group, asking people if they wanted to play “pre-games” before usual meetings.
“I’d known Aaron for about two years through our local trading card store in Strathpine,” another player told The Courier-Mail.
“He was always a lovely person to be around, livened up a room and was always in good spirits.”
A former student who graduated from Bray Park State High School in 2020 alongside Mitchelson Huckel said “from my encounters in class I can say that he was a lovely person to be around”.
“We are extremely shocked that this has happened,
“I’m rather sad and disappointed knowing what he was like in high school.”
A person who attended weekly card nights with Mitchelson Huckel said he wasn’t his usual “happy” self lately.
“He wasn’t there the last six weeks,” they said.
“He wasn’t as happy last few games, maybe two months ago, and he’d leave early.”
They said Mitchelson Huckel didn’t share what was wrong, and did not talk about much more than cards, his work and saving money for a house.
They described him as popular, well-dressed and quiet.
Detective Inspector Ben Fadian said the pair had been in an “intimate relationship” that had recently ended. He said the length of their relationship was still under investigation.
“I can say that there was no domestic violence orders in place and there was no history of either party being in contact with police about anything of that nature,” he said.
Inspector Fadian said the circumstances of the pair meeting on Saturday was still under investigation.
He said an autopsy would be conducted soon to determine Ms Thompson’s cause of death.
Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the woman’s death was an “absolute tragedy”.
“I have an 18-year-old daughter, exactly the same age, I cannot imagine what they are going through,” Ms Carroll said.
“I want to thank the police for their swift action and investigation into that inquiry.
“Absolute tragedy. My heartfelt sympathy and condolences goes out to the family.”
Mitchelson Huckel did not appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday when his matter was briefly mentioned.
The matter has been adjourned until October 31, when he is due to appear in Pine Rivers Magistrates Court.
Detectives have appealed for anyone who saw a white 2016 Ford Mustang near the Rob Akers Sports Reserve at Strathpine between 4pm and 6pm, and on Park Rd at Nambour between 6pm and 8.30pm to contact police.
Police have also appealed for anyone who saw a blue 2012 Mazda 3 near the Rob Akers Sports Reserve between 4pm and 6pm.
Inspector Fadian appealed for anyone who saw anything or with CCTV to contact police.
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