Police have this morning charged a 30-year-old man over the alleged murder of 61-year-old Wendy Sleeman at Elanora last week.
Around 3:00pm on Tuesday January 24, police were called to her residence at Ironbark Street, Elanora, with a reported break and enter.
Upon arrival, emergency services located blood in the property and a doormat on fire which was quickly extinguished, however no persons were located.
A blue Honda Jazz was allegedly seen in the vicinity.
A crime scene was declared and ‘Operation Victor Arum’ was established to investigate the circumstances of Wendy’s disappearance.
Subsequent investigations lead specialist police to arrest a 30-year-old man at Durack the following day (Wednesday January 25).
He was charged with three counts of contravention of domestic violence order, and one count each of unlawful stalking (DV), burglary (DV), assault occasioning bodily harm (DV), kidnapping (DV), attempted arson (DV), and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Subsequent analysis of electronic data led police to an address at Thondley Street, Wilston, the next day (Thursday January 26) where a body was located inside a blue Honda jazz.
Detectives have this morning charged the 30-year-old man with one count of murder (DV).
He is scheduled to appear at the Brisbane Magistrates Court today (Tuesday January 31).
Wendy Sleeman’s brother Mike Sleeman and sister Meg Sleeman have released the following statement:
“We acknowledge the tireless work of the Burleigh Heads CIB in this case. We can now lay our beloved sister to rest.
“We are profoundly saddened by Wendy’s death. She was gentle, funny, caring, clever, loved her labradors and always thought of other people before herself.
In accordance with Wendy’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. In lieu of leaving flowers, could we ask that people consider making a donation in her memory to either Rosie’s or to the Labrador Retriever Club of Queensland.
We will miss our beloved sister forever and ask for you to respect our privacy at this terrible time.”
Please see the below links to donate:
https://rosies.org.au/donations/
https://www.labradorclubqld.com/
Please see below links to previous media releases:
https://mypolice.page.link/ZuR2
https://mypolice.page.link/e5j2
https://mypolice.page.link/n29Q
https://mypolice.page.link/ajRK
https://mypolice.page.link/qyn6
https://mypolice.page.link/mjeV
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you should report it to police.
Support and counselling is available from the following agencies:
DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811
DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636
1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
More information is also available from the Queensland Government Domestic and Family Violence portal.
