Caravonica murder: Residents ‘heard screaming’ before 34-year-old man was killed on their street

Shocked residents have recounted hearing screaming “and then silence” after a man was allegedly murdered on their street, as details emerge about their frightening neighbourhood.

SHOCKED residents have recounted hearing screaming “and then silence” after a man was allegedly murdered on their street, as details emerge about recent troubles in their neighbourhood.

Caravonica residents on Melinga Close are still coming to grips with the events on Friday night which led to a 34-year-old man being stabbed to death in an alleged knife attack.

A 19-year-old man has been charged with his murder.

Wayne St John, 64, said he heard a woman screaming before running outside to see if she needed help.

Neighbour Wayne St John, 64, said he heard a woman screaming outside a Caravonica residence where a man, 34, was stabbed to death on Friday October 7, 2022. Picture: Alison Paterson

“She was screaming out on the driveway of the house,” he said.

“There was a woman with her who was on the phone, and then silence.

“Then police and ambulance turned up, and the detectives”.

Mr St John said it was sad to think someone had been allegedly killed right next door.

Donna Jelich, 59, said she heard the screams, but gave it little thought until it became so intense she dialled triple-0.

“It was the usual,” she said.

Forensic police officers at the scene of an alleged stabbing in Caravonica. Photo: Alison Paterson.

“There’s always disturbances … there’s always trouble.

“I don’t invite people over because of the constant noise and foul language.”

Ms Jelich, who “canned my Christmas celebrations” last year due to ongoing alleged domestic disputes, said she was scared and intimidated by some of the tenants living in the housing commission home.

“I love gardening but I never spend much time out the front any more,” she said.
“I’m thinking of moving.

Neighbour Donna Jelich, 59, said she heard screams and called triple-0 to attend a Melinga Close, Caravonica residence where a man, 34, was tabbed to death on Friday October 7, 2022. Picture: Alison Paterson

“Many of us have complained to the authorities about the behaviour.”

Another resident said several neighbours had complained about the noise and disturbances coming from the residence.

“We were watching a movie on Friday night and heard screaming around 9.20pm,” she said.

“There have been detectives at the house since last night.”

The woman said her children had been left frightened by the incident.

She said everyone deserves to feel safe where they live.

“There’s always lots of people coming and going from that house,” she said.

“One family who lived opposite moved out because of it.”

Another neighbour, who asked not to be identified, said that Barron River MP Craig Crawford was aware of the trouble in the commission area.

“He’s aware but what has he done about it?” she said.

A 19-year-old is due to face the Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday charged with one count one murder.

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Originally published as Caravonica murder: Residents ‘heard screaming’ before 34-year-old man was killed on their street