Ballina vigil held for Lindy Lucena after her shocking death in coastal town

A crowd has mourned the death of a much-loved Ballina mum who family lament was “left battered and beaten in an alleyway”, allegedly at the hands of her partner.

Lindy Lucena was remembered at a Ballina vigil.

A large crowd has gathered at Ballina to mourn the death of a much-loved mum who family lament was “left battered and beaten in an alleyway”, allegedly at the hands of her partner.

Those in attendance, including Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader, laid a circle of flowers, a shrine to Lindy Lucena’s memory, and sat on blankets surrounding it at her vigil at Fawcett Park vigil on Sunday night.

Ballina police found Ms Lucena’s body on Holden Lane early on Wednesday, January 4.

She was found half naked and bloodied with heavy bruising on her face, hands and arms.

Ballina woman Lindy Lucena was found dead.

Robert Karl Huber, 66, allegedly went into the local police station and talked to officers, who found his 64-year-old partner dead. Ms Huber denied murdering Ms Lucena.

No plea to the charge of murder was entered when his case was mentioned in Ballina Local Court on Thursday.

At the vigil, a letter from Ms Lucena’s sister Julie was read out, expressing the pain of her family’s loss and their gratitude for the support of the Ballina community.

“The community has suffered a lot and a lot of people are still without a permanent home,” she said.

“Lindy was one of this community and she loved the area.

“The family are devastated by her loss and the brutality of her last days.”

Flowers at the vigil.

Ms Lucena grew up in Launceston, Tasmania and lived close to the beautiful Cataract Gorge, before moving to Sydney after her mother's death.

There she met her husband whom she had a daughter with, “who she adored and was so proud of”.

Ms Lucena was married for 25 years before she and her ex-husband parted amicably.

They stayed in touch, Julie wrote, before Ms Lucena went on to meet Huber – who now stands accused of her murder.

Lindy Lucena pictured with her partner, Robert Huber, who is accused of murdering her with his bare hands.

“Lindy was a warm, funny woman who didn't deserve to be left battered and beaten in an alleyway,” Ms Lucena’s sister said.

“We want justice for Lindy.

“Our hearts are broken.”

Ms Lucena had a “wicked” sense of humour, loved to devour crossword puzzles and her favourite colour was purple, the crowd was told.

The mood at the vigil felt light in the minutes leading up to the ceremony, as people trickled in to join the growing circle formed around the carefully laid flowers.

The vigil for Lindy Lucena at Fawcett Park on Sunday, January 14.

It was a picturesque early evening on the Ballina waterfront, with a gentle breeze blowing and the sun still shining.

Couples held each other, a mother cradled her young daughter and friends laughed and chatted about mundane everyday things.

Lindy Lucena and Robert Huber.

The community had gathered to celebrate the life of Ms Lucena, but as the ceremony began, the grim reality of the situation appeared to sink in.

Ms Cadwallader said the tragedy of Ms Lucena’s death was compounded by her also being a flood victim.

Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader laying flowers at Lindy Lucena’s memorial.

“Someone who lost her home and was in a terrible situation. It’s heartbreaking what’s happened here in our town,” she said.