Xochil O’Neill, 28, charged with the murder of Maud Steenbeek
A man who remains under police guard in hospital has been charged with the murder of much-loved mother and yoga teacher Maud Steenbeek.
Police & Courts
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A man has been charged with the January murder of a mother of two in Melbourne’s northeast.
Detectives from the Homicide Squad yesterday charged Xochil O’Neill, 28, with the murder of Maud Steenbeek.
It’s alleged Ms Steenbeek, 61, was killed in her home on Liberty Parade, Heidelberg West, by Mr O’Neill while she was on a video call.
Mr O’Neill is in hospital under police guard. Ms Steenbeek was on the call with an overseas relative, who saw an intruder moving behind her before the call cut out.
The relative called Ms Steenbeek’s son for help.
“She was a caring devoted mother, an enlightened spirit, a beautiful-natured person,” friend Kerrin Metz told the Herald Sun after the alleged murder. “She was a talented yoga teacher who gave her time and energy to many people and she will be sadly missed by all who knew her.”
Ms Metz said Ms Steenbeek planned to move to a Geelong cottage she was renovating.
In the days after her death floral tributes were left outside her home. One read: “RIP Aunty Maud. Always loved and never forgotten. The boys are safe with us and are not alone.” Ms Steenbeek’s relatives flew over from Holland.
“She didn’t deserve this. She was a wonderful woman,” her former brother-in-law, Ranko, said.
“Her boys will suffer greatly,” Ranko said.
“She was looking after her two grown-up boys. She was trying to get her boys off on the right foot.”
Ranko said she was a “pretty peaceful” woman.
Another friend told the Herald Sun: “She was very intelligent, smart.”
The Herald Sun was told Ms Steenbeek sustained severe head injuries during the alleged attack, which unfolded about 8pm.
Neighbours described hearing screams around the time of the alleged murder.
It is not clear if Ms Steenbeek and O’Neill knew each other.
Neighbours said Ms Steenbeek lived with her two sons, one of whom rushed home from the gym to help her when told she was in danger.
He made a citizen’s arrest, restraining the intruder until police arrived.
O’Neill, 28, suffered severe injuries.
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