Everything we know about death of Greg Josephson, teen charged with murder

As family and friends continue to mourn the death of a millionaire Brisbane business owner, we look at everything we know so far.

The death of a millionaire Brisbane business owner rocked Queensland, with a teen charged with his murder.

We look at everything we know so far in the case >>>

What was the timeline?

Universal Store co-founder Greg Josephson, 58, was found unresponsive in a multimillion-dollar home in Clayfield on Thursday night after being fatally stabbed.

A 15-year-old boy was charged with his murder after a house party, which had up to 30 teenagers in attendance.

Police arrested the boy in a street nearby about 8.15pm after he called triple-0.

Multiple police cars could be seen lighting up the dark street in the footage, while two police officers could be seen waiting at the end of the street.

While several police officers, and later a dog squad, were seen conducting searches at the cafe on Friday afternoon, it was back to business as usual on Saturday.

On Saturday, police and ­forensics teams continued to comb the property while plain-clothed detectives could be seen knocking on the doors of several homes in the area in an attempt to piece together the moments leading up to Mr ­Josephson’s death.

Queensland Police pictured back at the Clayfield address where businessman Greg Josephson was killed.

Another neighbour said they saw teenagers walking up the path to the home on Thursday night at around 7pm.

On Sunday, police were seen searching the property for evidence, with officers spotted looking into a pick-up truck and the garage of the home.

CCTV footage, which was viewed by The Sunday Mail, showed the moment the ­teenager was apprehended by police.

On July 3 detectives were appealing for dashcam footage from the night of the alleged murder.

On July 15 his wife was among the mourners at the funeral, saying she will love him forever.

Tamra said when she first put her future husband’s number in her phone, she saved it as “Gregory handsome”.

Who was Greg Josephson?

Mr Josephson founded the Universal store businesses with his brother Michael in 1999 and later sold the business to private equity investors in a reported deal worth $100m.

Mr Josephson, a property and retail ­entrepreneur, amassed a multimillion-dollar property portfolio, including the $13.9m Noosa Reef Hotel and a $3.5m group of boutique cottages in Cooran. Mr Josephson was a St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace old boy.

Mr Josephson was previously a leasing executive for Westfield, Lend Lease and Jones Lang LaSalle.

Instagram image of Greg Josephson with wife Tamra.

He attended St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace where he was a talented rugby player.

“We are deeply saddened to share the news that Greg Josephson, our company’s founder and a key figure until 2018, has recently passed away,” a statement from Universal read.

“Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with his family during this incredibly difficult time.”

Who has been charged with murder?

The 15-year-old’s final moments of freedom after allegedly killing Josephson were captured on CCTV, and appear to show him behind a local cafe, in an area where he moved a bin.

Footage obtained by The Sunday Mail and captured by cameras at the local cafe ­minutes before the teenager’s arrest, showed the teen walking into the bin area at the venue.

Police pictured at the scene of the stabbing death. Picture: 7News

On June 27 in Brisbane Children’s Court, Magistrate Megan Power ordered a brief evidence be provided to the defence by August 22.

The matter was adjourned to September 2. The boy was remanded in custody.

What happened at the house party?

The alleged murder is believed to have occurred on the same night as a house party, with about 30 teens in attendance.

A neighbour said they saw teenagers walking up the path to the home on Thursday night at around 7pm.

A neighbour said they had several party goers leaning over their fence trying to flee the party.

“We had two girls leaning over the fence going saying we got invited to this party, and ‘we just want to leave, and we can’t go’,” she said.

“They were just like ‘we want to go home, and we’re not allowed to leave’.

“They were devastated.”

Queensland Police pictured at the Clayfield address.

The neighbour said they didn’t realise anything was going on, until police arrived in the street.

“It was extremely quiet, I wouldn’t have even known there was a party going on last night,” she said.

“I didn’t even think there was anybody home – that house was totally silent last night.

“I then saw the police and where there is that many police and they’ve got the road blocked off, you know something huge is going down.”

The Courier-Mail understands children at the party were taken to the police station and had their phones confiscated as detectives investigated the death.

Supt Williams said no other people were taken into custody and some teens spoke to police and were picked up by their parents at the police station.

What will police allege?

Detective Acting Superintendent Craig Williams on Friday said police had located the weapon they will allege was used in the murder.

“I can confirm that there was a party underway at the house with a number of young persons at the house,” he said.

“As for what had occurred prior to the incident, it is still under investigation.”

Supt Williams said no other people were taken into custody and some teens spoke to police and were picked up by their parents at the police station.

Queensland Police pictured back at the Clayfield address where businessman Greg Josephson was killed.

“At this stage the initial investigations indicate that no other persons were involved other than the 15-year-old boy who was taken into custody,” he said.

“It’s very early days and understanding exactly why it has occurred and what has happened, the investigation is still under way.” Supt Williams wouldn’t comment on the man’s injuries.

What have friends and family said?

Shocked friends described Mr Josephson as “a gentle soul”.

“He was an amazing person, and we just can’t believe this has happened, it’s absolutely horrific,” one friend said.

Another friend said the man was very well-connected in his local area and a popular resident.

“This is going to affect so many families who were close to him,” he said.

A friend of the family described the loss of Mr Josephson as devastating.

“It’s devastating, it’s just a huge loss to everybody,” the friend told The Sunday Mail.

“He was a nice person to be around, he was an incredibly intelligent businessman.

“They’re just a lovely quiet family.

Greg Josephson.

“It’s a huge loss and I’m having a lot of difficulty reconciling it in my head.

“I feel besides myself to be honest, I am feeling gutted for the family.”

A friend said that the community will rally behind the family, especially Mr Josephson’s partner.

“They’re so well loved that there will be a lot of support in the community for her,” the friend said.

What has been the community reaction?

Premier David Crisafulli on Friday declined to comment on whether the teenager would be the first to be tried for murder under the government’s ‘adult crime, adult time’ policy.

“I’m just mindful at the moment … a family’s lost someone in recent hours,” he said.

“I might reserve my comments on that particular (issue). We’ll let the courts do their job.”

St Joseph’s Terrace principal Dr Michael Carroll on Friday sent a message to families.

“It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the death of a member of our St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace community,” the message said.

“You may have seen media coverage this morning relating to the death of a man in Clayfield last night. Out of respect for his family, we cannot provide further details at this stage.

“We express our sincere condolences to the man’s family.”

Queensland Police pictured back at the Clayfield address.

Gregory Terrace – where Mr Josephson attended high school – emailed its community.

“It is with much sadness that we inform you of the death of a member of the community last night,” the headmaster of the second school wrote.

“You may have seen media coverage this morning relating to the death of a man in Clayfield.

“Out of respect for the man’s family, we cannot provide further details. We express our sincere condolences to the man’s family at this devastating time.”

A friend said that the community will rally behind the family, especially Mr Josephson’s partner.

“They’re so well loved that there will be a lot of support in the community for her,” the friend said.

A lone bunch of lilies was laid near the home, as the Clayfield community mourned.

Originally published as Everything we know about death of Greg Josephson, teen charged with murder