Former reality TV contestant Christopher Lowden was in stolen car the night Bronson ‘Lizard Man’ threatened to kill two people
A FORMER reality TV contestant has revealed explosive new details about the days leading to the murder-suicide of Shelsea Schilling by her partner Bronson ‘Lizard Man’ Ellery.
Crime and Court
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A FORMER reality TV contestant says he was in a stolen car the night murderer Bronson “Lizard Man” Ellery threatened to “chop up” two people during a terrifying home invasion.
It can also be revealed for the first time that Christopher Paul Lowden, 23, was in a Southport unit days later when Ellery killed his former partner Shelsea Schilling and then himself.
Lowden pleaded guilty in Southport District Court yesterday to one count of unlawful use of motor vehicle in November 6-8, 2016.
The car was stolen the night Ellery and another man invaded a home at Highland Park.
Lowden did not steal the vehicle but admitted to being a passenger when Ellery drove it and knew it was stolen.
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Robbery charges against Lowden were dropped yesterday because of insufficient evidence.
The bodies of former bikie Ellery and Schilling were found five days after the home invasion.
Lowden, who featured on World’s Strictest Parents when he 16, was one of five people inside Ellery’s unit the day of the murder.
Lowden cannot be charged in relation to Ms Schilling’s death because Queensland does not have a bystander responsibility law under, meaning a person who fails to rescue someone in need cannot face prison.
He has been in jail for the past 20 months and will be sentenced on June 21.
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Through his lawyer, Danielle Heable, of Dib & Associates, he did not want to comment about Ellery, dubbed the Lizard Man for his facial tattoos, or the murder of Schilling.
Lowden has a long criminal history for “insignificant” offences such as fraud, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and stealing.
He appeared on World’s Strictest Parents on 2011. The show featured misbehaving Australian teens who were sent overseas to “strict” parents. Lowden was sent to South Africa to stay with the deeply religious Myeza family.
During the home invasion Ellery and another man searched the Highland Park property and took several things, including the car.
Ellery sat on the lounge with the two victims and said he would “chop (them) up” or “put a bullet in them” if they contacted police following the robbery.
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Ellery pointed a firearm at one of the victims and said “What, don’t you know who I am? I’m
Bronson the Solitary Son” before he and the other man allegedly drove away in the man’s car.
Inside Arthur Gorrie jail, Ellery’s nickname was Avatar or Spider Man. Outside, he insisted on being called Solitary Son.
The 24-year-old was originally with the Bandidos bikie gang but became “free range” and was seen hanging with Hells Angels members.
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At the time of his death, Ellery was trying to start a chapter of the violent Dutch-based Satudarah MC on the Gold Coast.
Police never saw Ellery as “an enforcer”.
Court records reveal his offending, particularly in the early years, was minor and did not lean towards violence.
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Ellery was first charged with altering vehicle registration plates in 2010.
He breached parole a year later and gained a conviction for a minor fraud.
Detectives from the Coast’s Rapid Action Patrol became aware of Ellery in 2012 after he was charged following a brawl with a Finks member at Harbour Town’s food court.
Ms Schilling had gone missing three days before she was found dead and it was her parents who raised the alarm.
Ellery smashed her head into the tiles before suffocating her.
He then killed himself.
Lowden was in the unit as the horrific events unfolded.
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Of the robbery charges, Ms Heable yesterday said: “Mr Lowden contended his innocence throughout the course of the matter, unfortunately he had to serve 20 months in custody awaiting this outcome but he is relieved that the matters have come to an end.”
Jasmine O’Neil, who admitted to police she was in the Southport unit when Ellery suffocated Ms Schilling, pleaded guilty last November to being involved in the home invasion.
She was sentenced to two and a half years prison and was released on parole on February 20.
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