Robert Karl Huber’s blood linked to alleged murder victim Lindy Lucena, trial hears

Multiple blood stains found on a variety of items in a laneway behind an op-shop where 64-year-old Lindy Lucena was found dead have been linked to her accused killer, a trial has heard.

Alleged Ballina murder victim Lindy Lucena.

Multiple blood stains found on a variety of items in a laneway behind an op-shop where 64-year-old Lindy Lucena was found dead have been linked to her accused killer, a trial has heard.

Huber is accused of murdering Lucena in January 2023, who was found beaten to death behind a Salvation Army store on Holden Lane in Ballina.

On Friday as the first week of the trial came to a close, Huber appeared as the trial heard testimony from police and a forensic crime officer.

The trial was told Huber presented at Ballina Police Station at 12:30am on January 4, 2023, telling officers his “missus was dead” and that he needed an ambulance.

He then led police to Lucena’s location in the laneway where her corpse was discovered.

Upon arrival, police found Lucena bloodied and bruised with facial swelling. Her lower body was unclothed, and there was blood on the concrete around her head, the trial heard.

A crime scene officer said forensic analysis revealed multiple blood stains at the scene.

Lindy Lucena, right, with murder accused Robert Karl Huber.

Blood stains were found on an airconditioning unit, an umbrella, a fence, clothing, and across the concrete behind the charity store.

The blood stains on the airconditioning unit and near the body matched Lucena’s blood, the trial heard.

A yellow umbrella near the airconditioning unit had blood deposits from both Huber and Lucena, while a white doona revealed mixed bloodstains from both, along with an unknown female profile.

Olive green cargo shorts, understood to belong to Huber, contained blood stains from both him and Lucena.

Coffs Harbour courthouse. 05 NOV 2019

Lucena’s dress also had blood stains matching both hers and Huber.

A black Nokia phone was also found at the scene.

Lucena’s lifelong friend, Ann-Maree Bostick, testified earlier in the week that Lucena had moved in with her and her husband in Goonellabah in 2017. Lucena met Huber at their home, and within a week, the couple had moved in together.

Ms Bostick described their relationship as “sometimes nice, sometimes abusive.”

She said Huber would whisper to Lucena, who remained subdued and did not speak to him.

During phone conversations with Lucena, Huber’s “ravings, swearing, and sometimes abusive behaviour” were audible.

Ms Bostick said Lucena became withdrawn and seemed to have lost “chunks of memory” after a second stroke in March 2021.

She last spoke to Lucena around Christmas time – a few weeks from her death – when Huber was present in the background, making “incoherent” noises.

The trial continues on Monday.

Originally published as Robert Karl Huber’s blood linked to alleged murder victim Lindy Lucena, trial hears