Tributes flow for Sheena Fairfield after suspected Leanyer homicide

Territorians have taken to social media to remember the victim of a suspected homicide in Leanyer. Read what happened.

Tributes are flowing after the woman found dead in her Leanyer front yard by her husband after a suspected homicide was identified as a respected businesswoman and mother.

Sheena Fairfield, who operated Territory Butchers with her husband Mick Fairfield, was killed on Thursday afternoon in an incident police were treating as a homicide.

Mourners took to social media to share their condolences.

“From the bottom of our hearts rest in peace sweet lady,” Tracey Allen said.

“Our thoughts are with your little family at this tragic time.”

“Absolutely devastating. Always so happy and polite every time I seen her,” Kani Tezaris said.

“The lady was always polite and happy. Such a tragedy,” said Hari Kilik.

Police said Mr Fairfield returned home from work about 5pm on Thursday to find his wife dead with “multiple injuries” from what they said they would allege was a “sharp-edged type weapon” before phoning emergency services.

Police believed the incident occurred about 2.30pm.

A friend told the NT News Ms Fairfield was a “beautiful person”.

“She was beautiful,” he said.

A friend remembered suspected homicide victim Sheena Fairfield as a “beautiful person”. Picture: Supplied

“She would take the shirt off her back to help anyone,.”

Ms Fairfield and her husband opened Territory Butchers in 2018 after operating a home maintenance business.

In a social media post in July, Mr Fairfield wished his wife a happy birthday, thanking her for all she did.

“Happy birthday my love,” he wrote.

Forensics continue to examine the Leanyer property after Ms Fairfield’s death on Thursday. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“I appreciate you for all you do and give, day after day have a great day … love ya.”

A neighbour told the NT News he heard dogs barking between 2pm and 2.30pm on Thursday and a girl crying and saying “Mum are you all right?”

A crime scene was established at the property in Stewart Ct, with the cul-de-sac closed to non local traffic.

Police remained at the property on Saturday, with forensics continuing to examine the scene.

Stewart Ct in Leanyer was closed to non-local traffic on Friday after police established a crime scene at Ms Fairfield’s home. Picture: Riley Walter

About nine hours after Ms Fairfield’s body was found, heavily armed Territory Response Group officers descended on a Rosebery property about 20km away and arrested a 56-year-old man after negotiations.

He was taken to the Royal Darwin Hotel with non-life threatening injuries and remained there under police guard on Friday.

Detective Sergeant Paul Morrissey said Ms Fairfield and the 56-year-old man were known to each other but not related.

“I don’t know the full circumstance of their relationship,” he said.

Neighbours in both suburbs told of their shock at the heavy police presence in the usually quiet streets.

Police remained at the Leanyer property on Saturday, with forensics continuing to examine the crime scene. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“There were cars everywhere,” a Leanyer neighbour said.

Police were in contact with Mr Fairfield, who Sergeant Morrissey said was “distraught”.

Police were searching for a silver Nissan Navara dual cab ute with a large orange witch’s hat in the back seen driving in the Leanyer area about 2.30pm on Thursday.

“We encourage anyone that does have CCTV to contact us, especially if they’ve got that ute on it,” he said.

No charges have been laid.

Originally published as Tributes flow for Sheena Fairfield after suspected Leanyer homicide