Qld leads nation in ‘stranger homicides’, National Homicide Monitoring Program data reveals

A deadly home invasion and the Wieambilla massacre have put Queensland ahead of all other states for one type of homicide, but the grim toll still falls behind our state’s biggest killer. YOUTH CRIME STATS

More people were killed by strangers in Queensland than anywhere else in Australia, but domestic violence attacks continue to account for the highest number of killings, the latest crime data shows.

The Australian Institute of Criminology analysed the circumstances behind 232 homicide incidents resulting in the deaths of 247 people for its annual National Homicide Monitoring Program.

The data, from the 2022-23 financial year, included 49 alleged killings in Queensland – an increase of seven on the previous financial year.

Only three homicides were “not cleared” or remained unsolved.

Of Queensland’s homicide incidents, 19 were domestic violence, 14 were allegedly perpetrated by strangers and 13 involved people who were acquainted.

Australian Institute of Criminology deputy director Dr Rick Brown. Picture: Supplied

Ten Queenslanders were allegedly killed by their intimate partner.

A weapon was used in 48 of the 49 incidents, including 22 alleged homicides where the perpetrator used a knife and four in which a firearm was used.

Nationally, the motives for murder included an argument of a domestic nature in 33 cases, an argument of another nature in 28 cases, no apparent motive in 16 cases, an alcohol-related argument in nine cases, apparently delusional in eight cases and a dispute over drugs in seven cases.

A further 30 homicide incidents did not have a stated motive.

Queensland had the highest number of stranger murders with 14, followed by NSW and Western Australia with six, Victoria with four, Northern Territory with two, one each in South Australia and Tasmania.

On rate of population, the Northern Territory scored the highest, with 1.58 stranger murders for every 100,000 people.

Constable Rachel McCrow was killed at close range by camouflage-clad gunmen at Wieambilla, south of Chinchilla, in December 2022. Picture: Supplied

Constable Matthew Arnold was killed at Wieambilla, south of Chinchilla, in December 2022. Picture: Supplied

AIC deputy director Dr Rick Brown said that while the rate of homicide incidents had increased in 2022-23 compared to the previous year, overall Australia had seen a 52 per cent reduction since the statistical program began in 1989.

“In 2022-23, 16 per cent of homicide incidents were intimate partner homicides (IPH) and 89 per cent of these were perpetrated against a female victim aged 18 years or over,” he said.

“The findings of the report confirm through state and Territory police offence records and coronial records that female intimate partner homicides increased by 28 per cent, from .25 homicides per 100,000 in 2021-22, to .32 per 100,000 in 2022-23.”

The Wieambilla massacre, perpetrated by conspiracy theorists and Christian fundamentalists brothers Gareth and Nathaniel Train and Gareth’s wife Stacey, contributed to Queensland’s stranger homicide toll in 2022-23.

North Lakes mother Emma Lovell was allegedly stabbed to death while trying to defend her home on Boxing Day 2022. Picture: Facebook

Police constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold were killed in December 2022 when they arrived at the Train property to conduct a routine missing persons inquiry when they were fired on from the bushes.

Neighbour Alan Dare was also shot and killed by the Trains when he spotted a police car on fire and came to investigate.

The Trains were later killed by specialist police officers following a siege at the regional property.

Queensland’s youth crime crisis has also contributed to the state’s “stranger” homicides.

North Lakes mother Emma Lovell was 41 when two 17-year-olds allegedly broke into her home on Boxing Day 2022.

She was allegedly stabbed to death while trying to defend her home.

Vyleen White was stabbed to death at an Ipswich shopping centre carpark during an alleged carjacking on February 3. Picture: Supplied/Facebook (via NCA NewsWire)

One of those teens, who is now 18, has pleaded guilty to murder.

The case against his co-accused is still progressing through the courts.

In February 2023, 75-year-old Toowoomba photographer Robert Brown was pushed to the ground and his backpack stolen while he waited at the taxi rank outside his local shopping centre.

He died from head and neck injuries. An 18-year-old man – who was 17 at the time – has since pleaded guilty to manslaughter and robbery and is awaiting sentencing.

Queensland has seen more shocking stranger murders in recent months, with grandmother Vyleen White stabbed to death at an Ipswich shopping centre carpark during an alleged carjacking on February 3.

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder.

Nicholas Reeves was killed and wife Sue critically injured, allegedly at the hands of their next door neighbour’s gardener Frederick Steel Sayers at Burpengary East, north of Brisbane, last Thursday.