Tragic final post of mum allegedly murdered at home

A week ago, Alana Martin was like many mums sharing photos of her two sons on social media in their school uniform. Now her family and friends are trying to come to terms with her alleged murder. VIDEO, PHOTOS

A week ago, Alana Martin was like many Queensland mums sharing photos of her two sons on social media in their school uniform.

'My big man and littlest man starting high school and kindy today,' she wrote, alongside a photo of two of her sons.

'Big year for us all this year.'

Today, her family and friends were learning the details of the horrible news she was gone, allegedly killed by a man she knew and had been in a previous relationship with.

By all accounts, the doting mother of four’s life had been bouncing back.

She had shared photos of her weight loss journey with friends. Four years ago, she revealed her life was going through a great phase she hoped would not end.

“Feeling pretty great with life at the moment,” she said. “Hoping it lasts a little longer.”

Alana Martin was allegedly murdered on Sunday. Photo: Contributed

Police will allege there were children at Ms Martin’s rural Fraser Coast home when Daniel Noel Holm, 43, allegedly killed her.

Detectives say Ms Holm, of Owanyilla, gave himself up in person at the Maryborough Police Station on Sunday afternoon about 5.30pm.

After that, police went to a Owanyilla house on Old Gympie Road and found the 30-year-old Maryborough woman dead inside the home.

It will be further alleged Mr Holm and Ms Martin and were known to each other. It is understood they had been living together.

Detective Inspector Wade Lee said police would allege there were children home at the time of the alleged murder.

Alana Martin was a devoted mum.

“We believe there were some young people there at the time of the offence.’’

Police also removed about eight puppies from the scene.

Det Insp Lee told media that police were now seeking dashcam video from drivers who were travelling in the area around Old Gympie Road, the Bruce Highway and near the police station between 2pm and 5pm on Sunday.

Detectives have released photos of a silver Toyota in relation to an ongoing homicide investigation in Maryborough.

They are seeking footage of a silver green Toyota Camry sedan and have urged anyone to come forward to police.

Detectives released photos of the vehicle on Monday.

The vehicle belonged to Ms Martin, who was are mother of four children.

Police have not revealed how Ms Martin was killed but said she was found dead in the home.

A full investigation into the circumstances, including pathology testing, is under way.

Police at the scene of the home was a Fraser Coast woman was allegedly murdered. Photo: Carlie Walker

Police said the accused man had been ‘co-operative’ with police and remained in the watch-house.

Det Insp Lee said police would allege Ms Martin and Mr Holm were previously in a relationship and were known to police.

Asked whether more could have been done to prevent Ms Martin’s death, Det Insp Lee said that would be the subject of police investigations and external reviews.

Commenting generally, he said it was vital that community members ‘speak up when you are seeing offences.

“We need to have these conversations in the broader community to keep people safe.’’

Mr Holm was charged with one count of murder (domestic violence offence).

Police went to a Owanyilla house on Old Gympie Road and found the 30-year-old Maryborough woman dead inside the home. Photo: Carlie Walker

He appeared in the Maryborough Magistrates Court a short time ago, appearing briefly from the watch-house.

Police were ordered to produce a full brief of evidence against Mr Holm for the next mention on March 25.

Mr Holm will be required to appear again before the court.

Police at the Owanyilla house on Old Gympie Road on the Fraser Coast where Alana Martin was found dead. Photo: Carlie Walker

He was remanded in custody and was not required to enter any plea.

The discovery of the woman’s body came after another woman was shot dead at a unit complex north of Brisbane early Sunday, with neighbours reporting hearing three to four shots.

Police were called to the property, on Grant Rd in Morayfield, near Caboolture, shortly after midnight where a 29-year-old woman was found dead from a gunshot wound. Emergency services were called to the scene after there were reports the woman had been shot and tried to assist her but she died at the scene.

An 18-year-old man was assisting police with their investigation. No charges had been laid.

The deaths are not related.

Originally published as Tragic final post of mum allegedly murdered at home