Wendy Sleeman death: Slade Murdok in court charged with mum’s murder

Police will allege Wendy Sleeman was subjected to “traumatic violence” and that they have a strong case against her son, who they have charged with her murder following the discovery of her body at a Brisbane unit complex.

The son of Gold Coast woman Wendy Sleeman will on Tuesday morning face court charged with her murder following her disappearance and the subsequent discovery of her body at a Brisbane unit complex.

Slade Murdok, 30, will face Brisbane Magistrates Court charged with one count of murder.

On Tuesday, Ms Sleeman’s family said they were “profoundly saddened” by her death but have thanked police for their efforts.

Murdok was arrested by specialist SERT police in Brisbane’s southwest shortly before 5pm on January 25 – a day after the grisly discovery of large amounts of blood at the residence.

Ms Sleeman, 61, was allegedly attacked, dragged unconscious from a pool of blood in her bathroom and kidnapped by her estranged son.

Her body was found in the boot of a car in Brisbane on the night of Thursday, January 26.

Earlier that day, Murdok had faced court on one count each of unlawful stalking, burglary, assault occasioning bodily harm, kidnapping, attempted arson, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Wendy Sleeman was reported missing last week.

Speaking at a media conference on Tuesday afternoon, regional crime coordiantor Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith said police would allege Ms Sleeman was subjected to “traumatic violence” but would not go into detail out of respect for her family.

He said he was confident police had a strong case against Murdok but that would ultimately be up to the courts to determine.

“We’ve got no problems there – there is physical, electronic evidence and other evidence clearly that shows this person’s involvement,” he alleged.

“He certainly had a plan to get away with it but great police work and community assistance has stopped that.”

Slade Murdok has been charged with Wendy Sleeman’s murder.

Police will allege Murdok had been seen loitering at Surfers Paradise State School on the day before Ms Sleeman disappeared.

The court on Thursday heard a photo had been taken depicting someone at the school Ms Sleeman believed was her son.

At about 2.40pm Ms Sleeman arrived home to find a smashed window, the court heard.

Mr Raut said Ms Sleeman called triple 0 stating “she had a prowler in her yard and stated that she believed the prowler to be her son”.

When two officers arrived about 3.30pm police allege Murdok fled into his mother’s blue Honda Jazz.

The blue Honda Jazz police had been searching for. Picture: 7 News

“Because of his manner of driving and police could not pursue they lost sight (of him),” Mr Raut alleged.

When the uniform officers returned to Ms Sleeman’s home to locate her they saw smoke coming from inside the house which they entered to extinguish, he said.

“Uniform crews searched the place to locate the victim and observed a pool of blood on the bathroom floor,” Mr Raut said.

“(They saw) bloody drag marks out of the bathroom to the front door, outside along the driveway to where the motor vehicle was positioned prior to leaving the address.

“The police cleared the house and could not find the victim.

“The amount of blood and the nature of the drag marks indicate the victim was clearly heavily unconscious when dragged to the front of house.”

Forensics search the Windsor unit complex where Ms Sleeman’s body was found. Picture: David Clark

Supt Smith said Murdok was still not co-operating with police and was “maintaining his right to silence”.

He said the public had played a key role in the investigation and police were anxious for more information on Murdok’s movements in the lead-up to the alleged murder.

Police were especially keen on any information on a battered white Ford Laser (rego 483 ZPG) that Murdok allegedly drove to Elanora where Ms Sleeman was living.

“We’re still piecing together movements of the (alleged) offender,” he said.

“People might think they saw something. Don’t hold back – let us know.”

South East crime co-ordinator Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith. Picture: David Clark

In the family’s statement, her brother Mike and sister Meg thanked the police for their hard work.

“We acknowledge the tireless work of the Burleigh Heads CIB in this case. We can now lay our beloved sister to rest,” they said.

“We are profoundly saddened by Wendy’s death. She was gentle, funny, caring, clever, loved her labradors and always thought of other people before herself.

“In accordance with Wendy’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. In lieu of leaving flowers, could we ask that people consider making a donation in her memory to either Rosie’s or to the Labrador Retriever Club of Queensland.

“We will miss our beloved sister forever and ask for you to respect our privacy at this terrible time.”

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.”