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Two Found Dead in Charleville Home After Night‑long Siege

Police are treating the deaths as a suspected murder‑suicide with a coroner's inquiry and ongoing forensic work.

Overview

  • Police located the bodies of a 23‑year‑old woman and a 45‑year‑old man at a King Street property after a siege that began Wednesday night and ended when specialist teams entered the home early Thursday morning.
  • Authorities have identified the dead as Julia Brunsdon, 23, and Michael Waltke, 45, and police confirmed Brunsdon was pregnant at the time of her death.
  • Officers declared a Public Safety Preservation Act, tactically withdrew when confronted with a violent scene and reports of weapons, and brought negotiators and specialist units from Brisbane to contain the area.
  • An around 18‑month‑old toddler was found at the scene in bloodstained clothes, rescued by police, treated for minor injuries at hospital and placed in the care of child protection authorities.
  • Investigators have established a crime scene, the Ethical Standards Command is involved because the deaths occurred during an active police operation, and a report is being prepared for the coroner with post‑mortem and forensic work ongoing.