Widow of Zdravko Bilic shares heartbreaking tribute as cops share allegations against teens charged with murder

New details of what police will allege happened to a man stabbed outside a multi-million dollar property have been revealed, as two teens faced court charged with murder.

Two teenagers accused of murdering a man outside his mansion have appeared in court, as police shared new details of the allegations against them.

The boys, aged 15 and 17, entered Zdravko Bilic’s luxury Napalle St home in Warana on the Sunshine Coast and stole the keys to his car on Sunday, police will allege.

Police said when Mr Bilic confronted the pair, he was stabbed twice. His body was found the following day on the lawn of the property by a neighbour.

Mr Bilic’s wife, skincare entrepreneur Gry Tomte, paid heartfelt tribute to her husband, describing him as her “entire world for 28 years”.

In a statement released via police, Ms Tomte said the void Mr Bilic left behind was unbearable, adding: “The world is a little less bright without him in it”.

The accused teenagers are also charged with property offences and did not appear at Maroochydore Children’s Court for a brief hearing on Thursday.

Both will stay in custody and the next hearing will take place on September 10.

One of the boys was arrested as he got off a bus. Picture: NewsWire Handout /QLD Police.

He and a co-accused teenager have both been charged with murder. Picture: NewsWire Handout /QLD Police.

Zdravko Bilic was found in his front yard with two stab wounds to the abdomen. Picture: NewsWire / Lachie Millard

Solicitor Luke Bull, representing one of the boys, told the court a DNA application could not proceed in its current form because it had been signed by a relative of the boy instead of a parent or legal guardian.

“This form needs to be filled out correctly. This is a serious charge,” Mr Bull said.

The court heard both of the boys’ parents are currently incarcerated.

A similar issue was raised by solicitor Michael Robinson, who said his client was in care.

Police prosecutor Mark Burrell said he would withdraw both DNA applications and work towards filing new ones.

‘Two fatal stab wounds’

Sunshine Coast Detective Inspector Chris Toohey addressed media outside the Maroochydore Police Station on Thursday, confirming key details of the investigation into the death of Mr Bilic.

“We will allege two youths entered Mr Bilic’s house on Sunday night in relation to a break and enter,” Inspector Toohey said.

It is alleged the altercation appeared to have started inside the house before Mr Bilic ended up on the front lawn of the property.

“As a result of that altercation, he received two fatal stab wounds,” Inspector Toohey said.

Mr Bilic’s wife was away on a business trip and raised the alarm when she had not heard from her husband for some time.

Multiple lines of inquiry are being investigated, including whether Mr Bilic’s body had been lying in front of the house for several hours before he was found by a neighbour.

Police have since located a knife they allege was used as a weapon, which is now undergoing forensic testing.

Detectives at the scene in Warana. Picture: NewsWire/Patrick Woods

Inspector Toohey said the boys had been charged with unrelated break-and-enters in the two days prior to the alleged murder.

“We will allege they broke into another address on the Sunshine Coast as well as another in Brisbane,” he said.

The 17-year-old boy was arrested in Toowoomba and the 15-year-old in Chermside.

Detective Inspector Toohey said the investigation was “multifaceted” and involved several ongoing inquiries.

A number of strategies had been deployed to locate and arrest the boys.

“The investigation is ongoing. We are still talking to people around the community and a lot of youths around the Sunshine Coast to get a fuller picture of the investigation that will be presented to court,” he said.

Sunshine Coast Detective Inspector Chris Toohey addressed media outside the Maroochydore Police Station on Thursday. Photo: NewsWire/Patrick Woods

‘Entire world’: Wife shares heartache

Ms Tomte has paid heartfelt tribute to her husband, describing him as her “entire world for 28 years”.

In a statement released via police, Ms Tomte said the void Mr Bilic left behind was unbearable.

“From the moment we met, both of us living away from family in the new country we had fallen in love with, we knew instantly we were each other’s ‘person’,” she said.

“We were complete opposites – and together we made a whole.

“People say I’m the strong one – but I could only be strong because he allowed me to be, and because he wrapped his arms around me daily to make sure I could.

“He selflessly, and with much pride, stood in the shadow and pushed me forward.

But apart from being my world, and that of his family and close friends, he was so much to others too.”

Ms Tomte has paid tribute to her husband following his death. Picture: supplied

She remembered her husband’s kindness and willingness to help anyone in need. Picture: supplied

Remembering her husband’s love of soccer – particularly Melbourne Victory FC – Ms Tomte said he was the “MLP” (most loved person) in his Melbourne and Sunshine Coast teams.

“He was the kind of friend who would drop everything to help anyone. And even if you weren’t his friend, if he saw you on the street he’d smile, have a chat – and if you needed help he’d treat you the same way,” she said.

“He was the kind of man who on several occasions would quickly detour when we saw a lost dog – whether on a bike or in a car – and without hesitation footy tackle them to stop them in their tracks to make sure we could get them home safely to their families.

“He was loved by more people that I can put into words.”

Ms Tomte said her husband’s biggest legacy was in his work with Ginger Sport, where she said he was an “exceptional male role model” for the children he worked with at the early childhood centres set up on the Sunshine Coast.

Ms Tomte was away on business at the time of Mr Bilic’s alleged murder.

She recounted messages received from teachers and parents of his “kids”, remembering him for his “energy, vibrance … humour, and passion”.

“Whether we were walking on the beach, going to the mall, or visiting the zoo – there would always be a little, enthusiastic excited voice yelling ‘Coach Zed, Coach Zed!,” she said.

“It was so clear to me and everyone who saw this, that he was a superhero to the little kids he worked with.

“If you’ve had the privilege of being in Zed’s presence, you’ll know that he was literal sunshine. And the world is a little less bright without him in it.”

Ms Tomte broke her silence earlier on Thursday via Instagram, saying she was still coming to terms with her husband’s death.

“There is no way I can capture the immense grief I feel over losing the most beautiful man,” she wrote online.

“My world for 28 years. He was my everything.”

The $2.5m mansion is in the up-market Sunshine Coast suburb of Warana. Picture: NewsWire / Lachie Millard

Mr Bilic and Ms Tomte purchased their Sunshine Coast mansion for $2.5m in December 2021 before settling into the home in March the following year.

Mr Bilic announced their move from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast in March 2022, writing on social media that he had “many fantastic memories” of his time in the Victorian capital.

“There is a new chapter in our life and it starts with a move to the Sunshine Coast,” he wrote.

“Definitely will miss the day to day Melbourne way … but we are super excited with our new adventure.”

Alleged murder victim remembered

Inspector Toohey said Mr Bilic was a “valued member of the community” and that his “terrible” death shocked their neighbours.

“He is a community-minded person that was well-loved in the area,” he told reporters.

MsTomte, who is originally from Norway and co-founder of Melbourne-based skincare company HUD Skin and Body, which has clinics in St Kilda and Northcote.

She told media her husband was the “kindest, gentlest person I’ve ever known”.

“Loved by everyone who ever had the fortune of meeting him,” she said.

Mr Bilic loved football. Picture: Instagram

Mr Bilic, who was known as “Zed” by his friends, was a big soccer fan and played with the Real Social Dad Sixes and Nyblad over 50s at the Sunshine Coast Supa Oldies after moving from Melbourne to Queensland.

The team paid tribute to Mr Bilic, describing him as an “absolute gentleman” and a “very good player”.

“Off the park Zed was an absolute gentleman and was always willing to help out with anything we needed done for set up,” they said.

Ms Tomte raised the alarm when she couldn't reach him.

Others said Mr Bilic was “such a great guy” who was liked everywhere he went.

“You couldn’t not like him. His smile and his sparkly eyes made you comfortable the minute you met him,” a friend wrote online.

Another said his death was “absolutely devastating” and described Mr Bilic as a “beautiful man with a smile and presence that would light up a room”.

“I count myself one of the lucky people whose life was made better by playing soccer, drinking ginger beer and laughing with my friend, Zed,” another teammate wrote.

Mr Bilic’s death has sent shockwaves through the community.

Inspector Toohey said the Sunshine Coast was a “very safe community”.

Warana is considered one of the safest areas of the Sunshine Coast, known for its up-market homes and stretches of beaches.

“We pride ourselves on having, trying to maintain a safer environment for all our residents and of course being a tourist destination – we also like for people coming to visit to feel safe,” Inspector Toohey said.

“So (Mr Bilic’s death) is a shock.

“It makes us more vigilant to maintain that level of safety and make sure that we hold the (alleged) offenders to account.”

Originally published as Widow of Zdravko Bilic shares heartbreaking tribute as cops share allegations against teens charged with murder