Wendy Sleeman: Body of missing Gold Coast mother found at Brisbane complex

Calls have been made to create a memorial for a much-loved Gold Coast mum whose body was found in the boot of a car at a property in Brisbane’s inner north.

Calls have been made to create a memorial for Gold Coast mum Wendy Sleeman after police discovered her body in the boot of a car in Brisbane on Thursday night.

Ms Sleeman, who was allegedly attacked, dragged unconscious through a pool of blood and kidnapped by her estranged 30-year-old son Slade Murdok, had told family of her fears he was going to kill her.

Police at Thondley Street, Windsor, where a woman's body has been found. Picture: David Clark

Senior Queensland detectives and forensic crews established a crime scene at the Hillview Apartments in Windsor, where it is understood the Blue Honda Jazz owned by Ms Sleeman was found in one of the complex’s garage that had been privately hired.

Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith said the “shocked” owner of the garage had no idea.

“It would appear that we’ve located the body of Wendy Sleeman,” he said.

“Whilst it’s yet to be formally identified, it certainly appears to be her.

Wendy Sleeman’s body was found in the Brisbane suburb of Windsor.

“It’s a very sad time for the family. Obviously they’ve been advised.

“On the other side I suppose it gives them some closure as to where she is.

“It’s a tragic scene, a tragic circumstance.

“It just shows that even the best families have problems. So as a community we need to rally together.

Hillview Apartments in Windsor. Picture: David Clark

Det Supt Smith alleged the garage had been hired by Mr Murdok, who he said had not been truthful about his identity.

“Detectives have been working around the clock on this job,” he said.

“Yesterday we’ve seen the arrest of the 30-year-old male and this evening we’ve located the vehicle and her.

“Forensics examination of electronic devices have led to us coming here.

“It would appear there’s an innocent party involved in the ownership of the garage.

“We believe that it was him that drove the car here.”

Neighbours say the apartment block is “safe”. Picture: David Clark

A couple who live in the Hillview Apartments complex said they became aware of the operation after 5:30pm when police knocked on their door.

“We’re right on top of the garage so they asked if we’d smelled or seen anything weird, but we hadn’t,” said the neighbours who did not wish to be identified.

The man added that he had seen the reports of the missing woman and vehicle but he had never seen the car before nor did he know the owners of the garage.

“But we’ve been here nearly 10 years and nothing has ever happened, it’s safe,” he said.

Slade Murdok, 30, has been charged over his mother’s death. Photo: QPS

Police charged Mr Murdok after his mother went missing from her Gold Coast home on Tuesday.

Slade Murdok was arrested by specialist SERT police in Brisbane’s southwest about 5pm on Wednesday – a day after the grisly discovery of a blazing fire and large amounts of blood at the Elanora residence.

He has been charged with one count each of unlawful stalking, burglary, assault occasioning bodily harm, kidnapping, attempted arson, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith speaks at the scene at Windsor. Picture: David Clark

Det Supt Smith said police would allege Mr Murdok had been at the Windsor address but there was nothing significant about the location.

“It’s more about him finding the opportunity to find somewhere to hide the car for want of a better term,” he said.

Ms Sleeman had confided in family that she believed her son would try to kill her and had repeated those fears just hours before her disappearance when she provided a statement to police after Murdok was allegedly spotted lurking near her Surfers Paradise workplace.

The blue Honda Jazz hatchback allegedly seen speeding from the home. Picture: QPS

A desperate search for Ms Sleeman and the blue Honda Jazz hatchback seen speeding from her home on the afternoon of her disappearance had been the focus of investigators,

A bruised and battered Murdok appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday in a white smock and wheelchair.

The court was told his leg may have been broken during his dramatic arrest.

Opposing bail, police prosecutor Bimal Raut told the court Murdok was already on bail for two counts of serious assault police and had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder.

Police at Ms Sleeman’s home in Elanora on the Gold Coast. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Just hours after the Surfers Paradise incident, Ms Sleeman arrived home to find a smashed window and told police on the phone that she believed her son was prowling outside.

Police arrived at the property 30 minutes later, just in time to see a Honda Jazz allegedly driven by Murdok fleeing at “considerable speed”.

There was no sign of Ms Sleeman, but officers found a gruesome trail of blood leading from the home’s bathroom to the driveway.

Police search Ms Sleeman’s home on Ironbark St at Elanora. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Deputy Magistrate Anthony Gett refused bail, noting Ms Sleeman’s eerie premonition.

“It seems the victim had concerns for her own safety and had a belief that the defendant may attempt to kill her … as recent as the 23rd of January,” he said.

The case was adjourned to February 14.

Outside court defence lawyer Rodney Keyte said his client denied any involvement.

Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith urged anyone who had seen the Honda Jazz to come forward.

“Just because we’ve located the car, we’re still very keen to hear from people who might have seen it,” Det Supt Smith said.

He said police did not believe a friend or associate had picked Mr Murdok up from the Windsor address.

“He is a loner. I can say he has a history of using taxis and things like that.

How he left from here will be subject to investigation.”

Police would allege the murder had been planned ahead of time, he said.

“That’s our view, it’s not a spur of the moment or an instantaneous (crime). There’s been some planning.

“It’s just very sad that we’ve come to the outcome we have now.”

Tributes were flowing on social media for Ms Sleeman on Thursday night, describing her as “warm” and a “lovely lady” with a “big heart”, while others spoke of her tragic death.

A Gofundme has also been created to build a memorial bench and plaque in honour of Ms Sleeman.

The creator of the GoFundMe, Joseph Adams, said Ms Sleeman was a loved teacher, mother, friend and neighbour.

“As a humble neighbour and friend, I am asking the community to rally around Wendy, and donate as we have a memorial bench and plaque created in Wendy’s honour at a the beautiful Tallebugra off leash dog Park here on the gold coast,” he said.

“Proceeds will go toward the memorial being built in Wendy’s honour as well as a small donation portion will be made to the family to assist Wendy’s beloved dogs.”

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.