Emma Lovell’s husband breaks down in tears as he reveals harrowing question his daughter asked after Brit mum was killed
THE husband of a British mum stabbed to death in Australia broke down in tears today as he revealed their daughter asked “where’s mummy” hours after she died.
Emma Lovell, 41, originally from Ipswich, died after she and her husband Lee, 43, were knifed at their home in Queensland on Boxing Day while attempting to stop two intruders.
Cops said the couple were both stabbed after the burglars broke into their house and a “scuffle” broke out on the front porch as they frantically tried to protect their two children.
Neighbours heard their daughters screaming – with one of them yelling “someone help my mum, help my mum”.
Emma tragically died from her injuries after she was stabbed in the chest.
Lee was released from hospital after being treated for a non-life threatening stab wound.
He broke down in tears on Wednesday as he opened up about the horrifying night and the moment he knew his wife had died.
Lee said he initially thought his wife was going to survive her injuries after the attack.
But he recalled his “major shock” hours later when he found out she had died.
And the dad had to deliver the heartbreaking news to his daughters after one of them asked: “Where’s mummy?”
Fighting back tears, Lee said: “I said, ‘we need to talk’ and we both just broke down.”
Lee paid tribute to his wife, saying she “died trying to protect me and our family”.
He told the Daily Mail: “Emma was the glue in our family, she was funny, smart, so caring, would do anything for anyone.
“She died trying to protect me and our family.
“We’re all devastated by what has happened. I miss her so much.”
Explaining how the horror unfolded, he said: “We heard our two dogs barking, Emma checked on our security app and saw the front door was open.
“We both rushed out of our bedroom door, Emma behind me, and saw two people in our house.
“I didn’t even know there was an issue until my daughter spotted that her mum was bleeding.”
Two 17-year-old boys have been charged with murder, attempted murder and breaking and entering.
They have been remanded in custody after a court hearing on Wednesday morning.
Police are also continuing to question another 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy.
Cops reportedly confirmed all four teenagers were “known to police”.
Emma and Lee moved from Suffolk to Australia with their two daughters 11 years ago.
The family had spent Christmas Day at the beach on the Sunshine Coast.
A smiling family photo was shared along with a message for their pals.
They wrote on Facebook: “Hope everyone has a great Christmas Day spent with loved ones and friends.”
Neighbour Jay Balhatchet, who witnessed paramedics desperately trying to help Emma on the front lawn, said the neighbourhood woke to screams.
I’m utterly heartbroken that my best friend is gone and I don’t get to speak to her again, hug her again, laugh with her and cry with her
Christina Lofthouse
He said: “Just screaming really, of the two young girls. ‘someone help my mum, help my mum’.
“That’s pretty much when everyone got up, and that’s when they all saw it happen on the front lawn.”
In the aftermath of the tragedy, a petition has been set up calling for the creation of “Emma’s Law”.
The proposed law would make jail time compulsory for violent burglars who are repeat offenders or use weapons, regardless of age.
Lee said he would be supporting the campaign for the new law.
“I urge the politicians who can make changes to do so and not just talk about it to gain votes for the next election, you need to act and follow the talking through,” he said.
Police said the alleged offenders disturbed Emma and her husband at their home at about 11.30pm on Monday.
Superintendent John Hallam said emergency services were confronted with a “horrific scene”.
And he said there are no known links between the victims and the suspects.
“The family are traumatised and shattered,” he said.
“They’ve lost their mother and their wife. The whole community is mourning as well.”
A fundraising campaign has been set up for the family by the community in North Lakes.
“Emma leaves behind her husband Lee and two daughters, who are now faced with the unimaginable loss of their beloved wife and mother,” the fundraiser said.
Christina Lofthouse, 41, Emma’s best friend of 33 years, said she was “the best friend a girl could have”.
She said: “She was the first person I messaged in the morning and the last person I spoke to at night.
“I’m utterly heartbroken that my best friend is gone and I don’t get to speak to her again, hug her again, laugh with her and cry with her.
“Her poor daughters, husband, mum, brother and sister. As a family we are heartbroken to lose the best friend a girl could have. We had a friendship like no other.”