Man charged with murder after woman’s body found in Narangba
The man accused of murdering his wife of 17 years used a sledge hammer to strike her in the head as she turned away in an attempt to defend herself, police allege. It comes as a friend of the woman tells how she had “the biggest heart” and had been separated since 2019.
Police & Courts
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A 50-year-old man has fronted court charged with the domestic violence murder of a woman - Jacqueline Sturgess - after she was found dead lying in a pool of her own blood inside a house in a suburb north of Brisbane.
Shaun Robert Sturgess, 50, was charged with one court of murder (domestic violence offence) over the death of his wife Jacqueline Joy Sturgess, 45.
Police allege Jacqueline was murdered by her husband who, according to a close friend, she separated from last year after 17 years of marriage.
The pair had two daughters together, aged 11 and 14.
Police allege Sturgess used a sledge hammer to strike his wife of 17 years in the head as she turned away in an attempt to defend herself.
The pair are believed to have been arguing over child support following their separation in December of 2019.
Police will allege Sturgess walked to a local bottle shop to purchase a bottle of alcohol before he fled the area in a taxi without calling triple-0.
Jacqueline had been over at her estranged husband’s home, where she once lived with him and their two daughters, to collect a few of her personal belongings it is understood.
Jacqueline’s friend told The Courier-Mail she would always remember the mum-of-two for her big heart, and as a woman who would do anything for her kids.
“She was a lovely person who lived for her two girls,” the woman, who chose to remain nameless said.
“She’d always go above and beyond for the girls... She was on her own a lot of the time with the kids when (the couple) were still together, as Shaun used to fly out to work away.”
The woman said Jacqueline would only ever catch up with her friends when Shaun was away for work.
“She was lovely. She’d come over and we’d talk for hours while our kids got together. She’d always invite me and my kids over for a swim, and my oldest would often go for sleepovers.
“She had the biggest heart.”
Jacqueline, who was referred to by friends and family as Jackie, was a stay at home mum to her daughters.
“They are way too young to be without their mum.”
The girls were in the care of their grandfather when Jacqueline was allegedly murdered at Shaun Sturgess’ home.
The murder is alleged to have happened at Mr Sturgess’ home in Hemlock Court, Narangba.
A crime scene was declared yesterday afternoon after Jacqueline Sturgess was found dead just after 4pm yesterday.
Police will allege she was tightly gripping a screw driver in her hand when police arrived.
A crime scene has been declared in Hemlock Ct, Narangba after a man was charged with the murder of a woman this morning. pic.twitter.com/ZAvD6kmED4
— The Courier-Mail (@couriermail) April 29, 2020
Her body was originally found during a welfare check and the scene was first thought to be non-suspicious but the circumstances of the investigation changed overnight.
Investigations led police to a nearby residence where a 50-year-old man who was known to the woman was arrested.
The Courier-Mail has been told police will allege the woman was found in a pool of her own blood.
She was tightly gripping a screw driver in her hand when police arrived.
Sturgess was this morning charged with murder (domestic violence offence) and appeared in Pine Rivers Court.
The matter was adjourned to be mentioned in Caboolture Magistrates Court on June 25.
Sturgess will appear by video link.
Eight police vehicles are now in the street as detectives speak to witnesses and assess the scene.
A neighbour was home all yesterday but didn’t hear anything, saying it’s a friendly and safe neighbourhood.
“They had blocked the street off last night, so out the back there is a walkway that goes out to New Settlement Road and there was a pile of cops with torches doing a search,” the neighbour said.
“Yesterday we saw cop cars everywhere and when it happens in your street, you think, did we miss something?”
Neighbours from the blocked off street have delivered flowers to the address this morning, adding colour to what is a bleak day for the quiet neighbourhood.
Police escorted a dog from the victim’s home, believed to be the pet.
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