The eldest daughter of a mother-of-two allegedly murdered while protecting her family from intruders on Boxing Day has bravely ‘faced her fears’ by returning home.
Family friends Chris and Liz Jones brought Scarlett Lovell, 15, and their daughter to the North Lakes property, in Brisbane‘s north, where her mother Emma Lovell, 41, was allegedly stabbed to death during a home invasion about 11.30pm on Monday.
Flanked by the Joneses on Wednesday, Scarlett walked to the front door to collect a fruit plate left by a member of her distraught community before wandering across the lawn to look at touching notes and flowers left for her family.
The group spent a few emotional moments observing the tributes before walking back to the car, where Mrs Jones wrapped Scarlett in a hug as she broke down in tears.
The tragedy has sparked a wave of anger across the country and calls for tougher bail conditions for young offenders – after it was revealed one of the two 17-year-olds charged with the alleged murder was out on bail for previous break-ins.
Grief-stricken husband Lee Lovell, 43, has backed the calls and urged politicians to fast-track the legislation which has been dubbed ‘Emma’s Law’.
The eldest daughter of Lee and Emma Lovell, Scarlett, ‘faced her fears’ by returning to the family’s North Lakes home after her mother was allegedly stabbed to death (pictured, the Lovell family)
Emma Lovell (pictured), 43, died on Boxing Day while trying to defend her home from intruders
Speaking to media, Mr Jones said Scarlett had come to the home to ‘face her fears’ after witnessing the distressing alleged attack two days ago.’
He said the family, who have been staying with them, were ‘understandably devastated’ and have been going through mixed emotions as they continue to process the tragedy.
As the Lovell’s daughter arrived, Mr Jones exited the car first to inform media she was in the vehicle and ask for privacy as she spent time outside the home.
When the group prepared to leave, Scarlett graciously thanked reporters for respecting their wishes to refrain from taking photos.
Mr Jones returned later in the afternoon to read a statement written by Mr Lovell on behalf of him, Scarlett and Kassie, 13.
‘Although Emma’s passing has ripped our family apart, I just hope there will be a positive change to come from this,’ he said.
‘I’m happy to back Emma’s law, which has been promoted online,’ Mr Lovell said.
‘I urge the politicians who can make changes to do so and not just talk about it to gain votes for the next election.
‘We all have a right to be safe in our own homes.’
Family friend of the Lovells, Chris Jones (pictured), brought daughter Scarlett back before returning in the afternoon to read a statement from Mr Lovell
Chris and Liz Jones (pictured) returned later in the afternoon to read a statement written by Mr Lovell on behalf of him, Scarlett and Kassie, 13
The couple were alerted to the presence of the intruders when their dogs started to bark and their home security system informed them their front door was opened.
‘It felt like it was over in like 30 seconds but they [the intruders] had run off and it really started to set in,’ he told A Current Affair.
‘We bolted to our bedroom door and opened it and two people were there. It was a major shock, it was terrifying to be honest,’ Mr Lovell said.
He initially thought his wife was going to survive her severe injuries following the attack.
‘I thought she was, because [of] the work the paramedics were doing at the time. I know she didn’t have a pulse, then they said they got her pulse back.’
Paramedics who took Mr Lovell to hospital said his wife would be following.
But he recalled his ‘major shock’ hours later when he found out she did not survive.
Mr Lovell then had to deliver the heartbreaking news to his daughters after one of them asked, ‘where’s mummy?’
‘I said, “we need to talk” and we both just broke down,’ Mr Lovell said, fighting back tears.
Scarlett (pictured left with her mum and sister) walked to the front door to collect a fruit plate left by a member of the community before wandering across the lawn to look at notes and flowers left for her family
While there have been discussions around youth crime in Brisbane, Mr Lovell added that the tragedy ‘needs to be separated from the others and the criminals who have targeted the area recently.’
Mr Lovell thanked the first responders who attended their house on Boxing Day, saying they ‘arrived far quicker than I expected.’
‘Thank you for your professionalism, even though the outcome wasn’t what we were hoping for,’ the Lovells said.
The Lovells also thanked Mercedes at Royal women’s Brisbane hospital ‘for being so caring and compassionate in such a difficult time’ and the North Lakes Community for their support.
Mr Lovell said the next few days ‘are going to be very, very difficult for our family’ and asked for the family’s privacy at this time.
Cleaners arrived at around the same time to clean up the mess left inside the home from the chaos that unfolded inside.
Over the past 48 hours, members of the community have continued to stop by the home to leave items and pay their respect.
Mr Jones, who moved from the UK to Australia like the Lovells, said about his hardworking daughters.
‘Everything for Emma and Lee was about giving their children the best life possible,’ he said.
‘They moved here to give them the best chances of success, and they had an incredible life here.’
‘Now, because of this tragedy, all of that has been undone.’
The Lovells had just returned from a Christmas trip to the Sunshine Coast when they allegedly discovered two intruders inside their Whitfield Crescent home about 11.30pm on Boxing Day.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, but despite their best efforts, Mrs Lovell died shortly after arriving at hospital.
Mr Lovell suffered non-fatal injuries and has since been released from hospital.
A grieving Mr Lovell thanked emergency first responders who arrived at the house, a nurse at Royal women’s Brisbane hospital and the North Lakes community
Bouquets of flowers were seen resting against a tree outside the Lovell’s North Lakes home
The family’s heartbreak comes after Daily Mail Australia revealed four boys arrested over the alleged home-invasion murder were living in a nearby halfway house that accommodates youth offenders – and had been causing trouble in the weeks leading up to the tragedy.
Police confirmed yesterday that all four teenagers were ‘known to police’.
One of the two juveniles charged with murder was on bail for a break-in and receiving stolen property when the tragedy occurred.
Just days before Ms Lovell was allegedly murdered, one of the teens posted footage of himself and others driving allegedly stolen luxury cars.
The group recorded themselves speeding at up to 190km/hour before posing in front of an Audi and a Porsche while throwing up gang signs.
Neighbour Tracey said different boys and girls would move out of the halfway house every few weeks.
One of the youths allegedly involved in the home invasion posted this photo to social media
The group posted footage of themselves speeding up to 90km/h in allegedly stolen luxury cars
She said her family were not told that the home would be used as a living facility for juvenile offenders when it was bought by a charity organisation in May 2021.
Over the past 18 months, they have witnessed cops repeatedly storming into the home, heard skirmishes in the street and smelt drugs wafting over their back fence.
‘We sometimes smell them smoking marijuana, and hear them drinking out the back,’ she said.
‘One group, we could hear them bragging about a car. Some looked as young as 13. None of them have had cars, so we’d always see them walking around the neighbourhood.’
Two 17-year-olds- from Zillmere and Holland Park- have been charged with murder and attempted murder while police continue to question two other boys, aged 16 and 17.
Pictured is a map showing where the halfway house is located just a few doors down from the Lovell family home
Two 17-year-old boys have been charged with murder and attempted murder over the home invasion. They faced Brisbane Children’s court on Wednesday
Meanwhile, tributes have continued to flow online for Mrs Lovell, who ran a local ironing service, as she is remembered as a ‘beautiful person’ by devastated loved ones.
Mr Lovell told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday his wife had been the ‘glue’ in their family.
‘She was funny, smart, so caring, would do anything for anyone,’ he said.
‘She died trying to protect me and our family. We’re all devastated by what has happened. I miss her so much.’
The alleged attack has renewed calls for the Queensland government to crack down on youth offending.
Mr Lovell told Daily Mail Australia that his wife was the ‘glue’ in their family and died trying to protect them
Assistant Minister for Children and Families Michelle Landry said youth crime in the state is ‘totally out of control’.
‘There needs to be tough legislation introduced from parliament,’ the federal MP for Capricornia wrote on Facebook.
‘No one feels safe in their own home! We need immediate action.’
The two 17-year-old boys, who have also been charged with enter a dwelling with intent, faced Brisbane Children’s court on Wednesday.
They have been remanded in custody to next front court on January 16.
