‘Ripped our family apart’: Widower Lee Lovell’s brave move in face of wife Emma Lovell’s tragic death

Lee Lovell, the husband of Emma Lovell, who was killed during a violent home invasion north of Brisbane, has thrown his support behind calls for urgent changes to the state’s youth justice system. READ HIS FULL STATEMENT

The grieving husband of Emma Lovell has backed the push for a law named in her honour following her brutal stabbing murder.

Mrs Lovell, 41, was fatally stabbed in the chest after allegedly trying to fend off intruders who broke into her North Lakes home late on Boxing Day.

Emma’s Law would see legislation introduced to mandate judges to incarcerate and not offer bail to accused violent home invaders who repeat-offend and who use or have weapons, regardless of age.

Emma Lovell with her husband Lee Lovell. Picture: Facebook.

“Although Emma’s passing has ripped our family apart, I just hope there will be a positive change to come from this,” husband Lee Lovell, who was also injured in the home invasion, said in a statement on Wednesday.

“I am happy to back ‘Emma’s Law’, which is being promoted online.

“I urge the politicians who can make changes to do so and not just talk about it to gain votes for the next election; you need to act and follow the talking through.

“Emma’s life will best be honoured by a positive change occurring and laws changed.

“Emma was murdered protecting her family, that shouldn’t have been necessary. We all have a right to be safe in our homes.”

SCROLL DOWN TO READ MR LOVELL’S FULL STATEMENT

Mr Lovell also revealed in an interview with A Current Affair on Wednesday the moment he learned his wife had died.

“Well, I didn’t, I thought she was like, because I suppose the work the paramedics were doing at the time,” he said. “I know she didn’t have a pulse but then, then, they said they’ve got a pulse back.

“It wasn’t until, I don’t know, a couple of hours later, I don’t know, but in the hospital I was told (she had died), so it was a major shock.”

A mother and daughter leave flowers at the Whitfield Crescent home where Emma Lovell died. Picture: David Clark

Mr Lovell’s calls for law changes come as The Courier-Mail can reveal one of the two boys charged with murdering Mrs Lovell was on bail for a matter involving a break-in and receiving stolen property when the Boxing Day tragedy unfolded.

It can also be revealed one of the 17-year-olds also allegedly entered the Lovells’ home with a knife in his hand about 11.30pm in North Lakes on Monday.

Following the stabbing, it will be alleged four teens were arrested in the bedroom of a home, understood to be a government-funded house, which provides “supported independent living” to children aged under 16.

Police took four juveniles, who appeared to be affected by alcohol, into custody before releasing two of the youths later.

Emma and Lee Lovell. Picture: Facebook

The Courier-Mail can also reveal one of the alleged killers posted videos of himself and others driving at 190km/h in allegedly stolen luxury cars just days before the mother of two was killed.

Social-media posts published by one of the juveniles show the youth posing in front of the cars, which included an Audi and Porsche, holding up fistfuls of cash, covered his face, and making gang hand signs.

According to Queensland government data, the home where police took the teens into custody is a “placement service” that provides out-of-home care to children “in need of protection” to ensure they feel “supported and safe”.

Data shows the house north of Brisbane has been funded with more than $400,000 from the Queensland government in the past financial year under a multi-year deal.

The boy was seen walking out of the house with police on Tuesday.

Assistant Police Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon declined to answer questions on Wednesday relating to how many of the boys were on bail at the time of Mrs Lovell’s alleged murder.

Lee Lovell. Picture: Richard Walker

Ms Scanlon also declined to comment on youth housing and whether there was a carer present at the time. She said investigators were trying to establish why the teens were on the Lovells’ North Lakes street.

“Some of the things we have to examine is, ‘why were they in that street? Why did they go to that house?’,” Ms Scanlon said.

“And we know there is no connection between these young people and these occupants, but that’s part of all the lines of inquiry.

“And what led up to them being there over the days and weeks prior to this event.”

Ms Scanlon said there was no evidence suggesting the home invasion was gang-related, but investigators would examine any links.

Two boys, both 17, charged with Mrs Lovell’s murder were remanded in custody until January 16 after their matters were mentioned in Brisbane Children’s Court on Wednesday.

Two other teenage boys, 16 and 17, were released from police custody and have been charged with stealing in relation to a separate incident at a business that occurred shortly after noon on Monday. The Courier-Mail understands Mrs Lovell’s mother, brother and niece will travel to Australia from England to support Mr Lovell and his two daughters.

Chris and Liz Jones read a statement on behalf of the family thanking everyone for there support. Picture: David Clark

Chris Jones, a family friend of the Lovells, said he wanted the public to know how heroic his friends were.

“It’s the heroic thing that Lee and Emma did,” he said.

“They actually protected their family.

“The moment she’s been killed is because she’s being a hero for her kids.

“He was stabbed and he was doing the same thing.”

LEE LOVELL’S FULL STATEMENT

I would like to thank the first responders who attended our house on Boxing Day evening, you arrived far quicker than I expected. Thank you for your professionalism even though the outcome wasn’t what we were hoping for.

I would like to thank Mercedes at the RBWH for being so caring and compassionate.

Also thank you to the North Lakes community for all your support. The community has been fantastic and has yet again come together to help. This needs to be separated from the criminals who have targeted the area recently.

Emma Lovell. Picture: Facebook.

These next few days are going to be very difficult for our family so we would appreciate some privacy at this time to allow us to grieve

Although Emma’s passing has ripped our family apart I just hope there will be a positive change to come from this.

I am happy to back ‘Emma’s Law’ which is being promoted online. I urge the politicians who can make changes to do so and not just talk about it to gain votes for the next election, you need to act and follow the talking through.

Emma’s life will best be honoured by a positive change occurring and laws changed.

Emma was murdered protecting her family, that shouldn’t have been necessary, we all have a right to be safe in our homes.