Candis Nicole Greer charged with murder over stabbing death of Bruce Martin in Townsville

A woman has been charged with murder after a prominent Indigenous community leader was allegedly stabbed in the chest and died at a home in Townsville.

Prominent Indigenous adviser Bruce Martin was identified as the victim of an alleged fatal stabbing in Townsville. Photo: Russell Shakespeare

*Warning -Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following article contains the name/image of a person who is now deceased.

A woman has been charged with murder after a prominent Indigenous community leader was allegedly stabbed in the chest and died at a home in Townsville.

Candis Nicole Greer, 32 has been charged with murder following the allegedly fatal stabbing of Aurukun man Bruce Martin, 39, at a home in Railway Estate on July 12.

She has also been charged with deprivation of liberty (unlawfully detain/confine), enter dwelling with intent at night in company and threatening violence.

It will be alleged that shortly after 4.30am Greer entered the Eleventh Ave address and seriously assaulted the man before leaving in a vehicle.

When emergency crews arrived at the scene, they located Mr Martin unconscious with critical injuries, including the stab wound to his chest.

He was declared dead at the scene a short time later.

Greer appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday, and no applications for bail were made. 

Magistrate Ken Taylor asked for a brief of evidence, and the court was told all the charges were connected. The case against Ms Greer will be mentioned again on October 13.

Candis Nicole Greer has been charged with murder.

On July 17, police arrested Greer at a property on Texas Road as part of Operation Victor Madrox.

Police also took another man, aged 37, into custody on Tuesday in relation to the matter. The Beach Holm man is currently assisting police with their inquiries.

A prominent figure in Indigenous political circles, Mr Martin primarily worked in the community development space, and he was appointed as one of the original advisers on Tony Abbot’s inaugural Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council in 2013.

Mr Martin was a proud Wik man and well-respected leader among the remote Indigenous community of Aurukun in Cape York. 

Police were called to a residence at Eleventh Ave, Railway Estate following reports a man had been stabbed. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Warren Mundine (left) and Bruce Martin (right) visiting Thursday Island in 2015 as members of the Prime Minister’s Indigenous advisory board.

He also worked as the director of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) between 2015 and 2021.

Police were called to a residence at Eleventh Ave, Railway Estate following reports a man had been stabbed. Picture: Shae Beplate.

ILSC Chair Ian Hamm said his legacy would continue through the work he contributed to the development of Aurukun and beyond.

“We are deeply saddened to hear the news of Bruce’s passing,” said he said.

“My thoughts, and the thoughts of the entire ILSC, are with Bruce’s family, friends, and community.”

Mr Martin’s father, Dave Martin — a well-known anthropologist — said their family had been left utterly shattered by his sudden loss.

Originally published as Candis Nicole Greer charged with murder over stabbing death of Bruce Martin in Townsville