Murder charge after ‘gardening dispute’
A gardener has been charged with murder and attempted murder after an elderly man was found dead and his wife critially injured following an alleged argument in Queensland.
The 26-year-old Beachmere man, not known to the couple, was charged on Thursday night.
He was refused police bail and is due to appear in Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on Friday.
Officers were called to conduct a welfare check at a home in Bramston Ct in Burpengary East, near Moreton Bay, about 9.20am on Thursday.
When they arrived, they found Nicholas Reeves and his wife Suzanne, both aged in their 70s, with “significant trauma to the head”.
“Unfortunately, the victims have been severely injured, one fatally,” Detective Inspector David Harbison said.
“Police are still investigating if an implement or weapons were used in this incident … we don’t have the full facts yet.”
A homicide investigation is underway and a crime scene has been set up at the home.
Det Insp Harbison said it was understood the 26-year-old man had been gardening at the house next door.
He was onsite when police arrived and was taken into custody without incident.
Mr Reeves was declared dead at the scene.
His 71-year-old wife has been taken to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition.
Det Insp Harbison said the crime scene was “terribly traumatic”.
Police have reportedly seized a number of tools from the property.
Forensic officers photograped evidence on the ground inside.
Neighbours John and Julie Roscarel told The Courier Mail they knew the couple very well.
The Reeves family, which included three daughters, had lived in the street for 30 years.
One of the couple’s daughters lives across the road.
“They are lovely community people,” Mr Roscarel said.
“We’d always give them a wave.”
Another neighbour said the couple always had their gardening done on Thursdays.
The neighbour said they also used to have massive street parties and were lovely people.
