Police call for calm in rural Qld community as man fronts court over alleged murder of 13-year-old girl

As her accused murderer appears in court, a 13-year-old killed in an alleged hit and run has been remembered as a “kind, sweet, beautiful girl”.

A girl who died a week after her 13th birthday when a car ploughed into a crowd at Mount Isa is being remembered as the “sweetest soul”.

Cara Jenny Bob was described by her family as a “kind, sweet, beautiful girl”.

Krystal Maree Bob, Cara’s aunty, said the whole family was in “complete shock” following the incident.

“(Cara) was friendly to everyone so what hurts me the most is the way she died,

“She had such a beautiful heart,” she said.

The outpouring of grief came as Trevor Caulton appeared in Mount Isa Magistrates Court.

Police allege Caulton, 52, drove a vehicle directly into a crowd of people in the small town of Pioneer, near Mount Isa, on Saturday morning following a large disturbance involving multiple people on Delacour Drive.

Cara was struck and died from head ­injuries.

Court documents reveal Caulton, who was born in Mount Isa but resides in Pioneer, is facing a single count of murder.

During a brief court appearance on Monday, his lawyer asked for a brief of ­evidence by mid-September.

Caulton will return to court on September 26. He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody.

Trevor Caulton, who is charged with murdering a 13-year-old girl in Pioneer, near Mount Isa, will reappear in Mount Isa Magistrates Court on September 26.

Cara’s death occurred just days after an earlier unrelated hit-and-run on East St, within 2km of ­Delacour Drive.

In the early hours of Friday morning, a white Toyota Prado was reported driving dangerously by members of the public.

The vehicle, believed to be stolen, was seen travelling on Rebecca St, Mornington, ­before turning right on to East St southbound at speed and losing control.

The driver of the vehicle then veered on to the median strip and struck two pedestrians, a man and woman. The driver then fled the scene.

Police have called for calm in the community after the girl’s death over fears of unrest and potential retribution.

Mount Isa police Acting Superintendent Jason Smith said the girl’s death was a “distressing situation” for the tight-knit Indigenous communities in the area.

“What I’m concerned about is that the passing of this poor girl will incense members of the community,” he told NCA NewsWire.

Superintendent Smith called for the community to place their trust in the police to ensure the investigation continued smoothly.

“It’s a terrible event, with terrible circumstances,” he said.

Originally published as Police call for calm in rural Qld community as man fronts court over alleged murder of 13-year-old girl