Timeline shows teens’ alleged deadly crime spree

The violent murder of a Sunshine Coast man in his front yard, allegedly committed by two teenage boys, was part of a broader 200km crime spree, police claim. SEE THE MAP.

Forensic Police at the crime scene at Warana on the Sunshine Coast where the body of Zdravko Bilic was found on Monday night. Picture: NewsWire / Lachie Millard

An alleged violent home invasion where a Sunshine Coast homeowner was stabbed in his front yard was part of a larger teenage crime spree, police claim.

Zdravko ‘Zed’ Bilic, 57, was found dead in the front yard of his Warana home on Monday night with two stab wounds to his stomach.

The 57-year-old was found by a neighbour after his wife - Gry Susann Tomte - became worried something was wrong and asked the neighbour to check on him.

Police have charged two teenage boys with the murder of Mr Bilic and a number of property offences claiming they were on a crime spree that spread almost 200km.

It has also been revealed by Newscorp the teenage boys were known to police and the Department of Child Safety.

Mr Bilic was a much-loved member of the Sunshine Coast and has been remembered as a keen footballer who loved his job as a soccer coach for children.

Zed Bilic and Gry Tomte moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2021.

How did the alleged crime spree unfold?

Police will allege the 15-year-old West Woombye boy and 17-year-old Beerwah boy broke into other properties in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast in the days leading up to the deadly home invasion.

Police allege the pair then drove to the Sunshine Coast in a car stolen from Brisbane.

Police photographer at the crime scene at Warana on the Sunshine Coast where the body of Zdravko Bilic was found on Monday night. Picture Lachie Millard

On Sunday, July 13, police allege the teenage boys broke into Mr Bilic’s multimillion-dollar Warana home at about 11.30pm.

It is alleged Mr Bilic disturbed them and the pair stabbed him in the stomach before fleeing with the keys to his car.

Approximately 20 hours later, at 7.30pm on Monday, a neighbour found Mr Bilic dead in his front yard with two stab wounds to his stomach.

Detective inspector Chris Toohey said police began a homicide investigation into Mr Bilic’s death on Tuesday.

On Thursday morning police revealed they had arrested and charged a 15-year-old boy at Chermside, while a 17-year-old boy was arrested as he exited a bus he caught from Brisbane to Toowoomba.

Two teens have been charged over the death of Zdravko Bilic while his wife Gry Tomte was interstate. Picture Instagram

Inspector Toohey told the media this week police were testing a knife they believed to be the murder weapon.

The boys faced the Maroochydore Children’s Court on Thursday afternoon charged with murder and property offences.

The court was told one teenager was in the care of the Department of Child Safety and the other’s parents were both in jail.

Their matters were adjourned to September 10.

Forensic Police at the crime scene at Warana. Picture: NewsWire / Lachie Millard

Crime in Kawana Waters

Criminal offences, like many areas in Queensland, have steadily become more frequent occurrences in Kawana Waters.

The crime statistics resource by Queensland Police show 895 assault offences and 6988 property-related offences occurred in the Kawana Waters district between January, 2020 and June this year.

Prior to this, between January, 2015 and December, 2019, only 336 assault offences and 5809 property offences occurred in the same area.

In terms of assault, this equates to a whopping 166 per cent increase compared to the 2020-2025 period. Property offences only rose by 20 per cent.

Earlier between January, 2010 and December, 2014, 233 assault and 495 property offences were recorded, as shown by police crime statistics.

One murder offence was recorded in 2024.

Crime in Warana and its neighbours

Warana, a quiet suburb on the Sunshine Coast, comprises of a mix of older builds, newer family homes and multi-million dollar purchases along its beachfront strip.

The strip has undergone significant change in past years, with old brick homes knocked down to make way for more luxury, modern offerings.

The Queensland Police crime map shows Warana recorded 128 offences in the past six months, 228 in the past year and 423 in the past three years.

Crime appears to be on a smaller scale in Warana compared to its similar-sized neighbour to the north, Buddina.

Buddina includes an alike mix of homes as well as Kawana Shopping World.

In Buddina, 273 offences were recorded in the past six months, 454 in the past year and 869 in the past two years.

Looking towards the south, Warana’s neighbour Bokarina is of slight smaller size and recorded the least amount of offences of all three suburbs.

Bokarina recorded just 86 offences in the past six months, 182 in the past year and 341 in the past two years.

Originally published as Timeline shows teens’ alleged deadly crime spree