Tributes flow for ‘irreplaceable’ mother after stabbing
Savannah Meacham and Rex Martinich |
Tributes are flowing for an “irreplaceable” mother fatally stabbed at home after a man was charged with her murder.
A community is reeling after beloved nurse Carra Samantha Luke, 48, died at her house north of Brisbane, sparking a homicide investigation.
Shane Donald Scheikowski, 52, who is reported to be Ms Luke’s former partner, has been charged with murder.
Emergency services were called to Ms Luke’s Taigum residence about 12.30am on Saturday and found her with “significant stab wounds”.
They tried reviving her but she was declared dead at the scene.
A homicide investigation was launched and Scheikowski was taken into custody for questioning on Saturday.
He was charged on Sunday with murder (domestic violence offence) and entering a dwelling with intent.
Scheikowski’s matter was heard in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday but he was not required to appear.
His solicitor did not apply for bail and confirmed to magistrate Belinda Merrin that Scheikowski was applying for legal aid.
Ms Merrin remanded Scheikowski in custody and adjourned the matter to September 8 in the same court.
Queensland Police on Monday morning were still at the Taigum home where Ms Luke was found as the local community tried to comprehend the tragedy.
Her employer of 20 years, Nundah Doctor Surgery, shared a tribute to Ms Luke, vowing to always keep her in their hearts.
“A most empathic and caring human being, nurse, mother, and friend Carra has been with us for 20 years and was the heart and soul of the practice,” Dr Margaret Cotter said in a statement.
“She is irreplaceable, and we will miss her every day.”
Ms Luke’s loved ones remembered her as someone who made everyone who knew her feel like part of her family.
“Carra was a remarkable woman who touched countless lives with her warmth, generosity, and unwavering kindness,” the Luke family said in a statement to The Courier-Mail.
“Through her compassion and gentle spirit, she carried the power to comfort, encourage, and uplift others, leaving behind memories that will be cherished forever.
“Though her time with us was far too short, she filled every moment with care and an open heart.”
Friends have also taken to social media to share their devastation, with former Brisbane Lord Mayoral candidate Tracey Price remembering Ms Luke as a “beautiful woman”.
“She was always smiling and a great mum,” she wrote on Facebook.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the incident as “gut wrenching” before pointing to domestic violence reforms to be ushered in by state parliament this week.
He said they would help fix a system left “broken” by the former Labor government.
Reforms include giving officers the power to issue immediate police protection directions in a bid to reduce trauma through exposure to the courts.
New laws introduced by the Liberal National government have ensured 150 domestic violence offenders were monitored by GPS monitoring under a trial program from July 1.
“It’s just so horrendously sad and gut-wrenching, and it shows that the system is broken and we’ll be making changes this week,” Mr Crisafulli told reporters on Monday.
“If those changes can even prevent one woman going through that, even one, it’ll be worthwhile.
“And you know I point to GPS trackers as an example of one of the changes that we promised them we’ll be doing.”
Queensland has been hit hard by domestic violence with 19,658 offenders recorded in 2023-24, behind NSW’s 34,055 offenders, national data shows.
Queensland Police respond to up to 180,000 domestic and family violence calls every year.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Lifeline 13 11 14
Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491
AAP
