Hamilton stabbing victim named as forensic investigation continues

A woman who died after allegedly being stabbed by her neighbour in an up-market Brisbane suburb has been identified, as her family pay tribute to the ‘devoted daughter, sister and mother’.

The woman allegedly murdered by her neighbour in an up-market Brisbane suburb has been identified as Ana Fa Lavaka.

Police were today granted an urgent forensic order to secure evidence in the alleged murder in Hamilton before it’s too late, a court heard.

Ana Fa Lavaka has been identified as the woman who died after being stabbed at a home in Hamilton. Picture: Supplied

Dorothy Jane Downie was earlier named as the woman charged with murder and enter dwelling with intent, following the death of 43-year-old Ana Fa Lavaka in hospital on Thursday.

Police were called to a unit complex on Oxford St at Hamilton about 8:45am yesterday to reports of a disturbance.

Ms Lavaka allegedly sustained several stab wounds and was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, where she later died.

Downie, the woman’s 55-year-old neighbour, had her matter mentioned for the first time in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.

Police outside the Oxford St property on Thursday. Picture David Clark

Police prosecutor Sgt Tara Williams made an application before Magistrate Andrew Hackett for a forensic procedure.

“There is some urgency to it … if it’s not dealt with today there’s potential loss of evidence,” she said.

Daniel Hannay, of Hannay Lawyers, said police had raised concerns about his client’s possible capacity issues as she had some history of “ delusions of grandeur and psychosis”.

“I haven’t been able to take those instructions in respect to this (application) because she needs to be seen by a mental health nurse,” he said.

Sgt Williams said police were seeking a sample of Downie’s blood.

“The urgency is in relation to the level of drugs whether prescription or non-prescription present in her blood at the time,” she said.

Dorothy Jane Downie has been charged with murder. Picture: David Clark

“Over time the longer it takes to deal with this application the levels are going to change your honour. It’s going to result in incomplete information for the prosecution and for the defence to consider.”

Mr Hannay did not oppose the order being made.

Magistrate Hackett made the order despite Downie’s possible mental capacity issues noting the evidence had the “potential to be highly relevant and could be lost.”

No application for bail was made and Downie did not appear in court. Bail applications for a charge of murder cannot be heard by a magistrate under Queensland laws.

Downie was remanded in custody and the matter adjourned to February 14. She will not be required to appear.

The Tongan community are in mourning after the death of Ana Fa Lavaka. Picture: Supplied

The Brisbane Tongan Community expressed their deepest condolences to Ms Lavaka’s family following the alleged murder.

“Ana was known to many as our avid baker, devoted daughter, sister and most importantly mother to her beautiful daughter Amelia,” they wrote on social media.

“We are all praying for the family.”

Ms Lavaka’s relative, Ana Kauffusi, shared a tribute to social media saying the pair had talked the night before the stabbing and were organising their Christmas plans.

Ms Kauffusi said the duo were incredibly close, even sharing the same name.

“Both born in the same year, same month… I was older than you by 22 days. B1 and B2,” Ms Kauffusi said.

“You would always hate it when I tell everyone you were named after me.

“We had plans for our 50th birthday. You wanted to go on a cruise clearly knowing I get sea sick.

“I stayed up last night waiting for your call cos (sic) we had a lot to complain about for yesterday.”