DUST SETTLES ON TRAGEDY
AS THE fingerprint dust was washed from the front of the Webber family house on Thursday afternoon, the horrific memories of the fatal stabbings lingered in Alva Beach.
Ian Webber stood on the veranda of the Topton St home where police believe his nephew, 19, stabbed Corey Christensen, 37, and Tom Davy, 27, in self- defence after Townsville woman Candice Locke, 29, sought refuge there with an injured shoulder.
With a hose and mop in each hand, the Burdekin teen’s uncle showered the windows and front of the property.
“It’s too soon to speak about what happened,” he said.
In a case with many unanswered questions, police will gather evidence for the coroner to investigate.
Flowers are tied to the posts of the street lamps in front of the house in tribute to the two men.
Friends of the deceased, too distressed to speak, lingered in the sunny and peaceful street late on Thursday afternoon.
John Tylor lives a few doors down from the Webber house and described Dean as a friendly boy who would wave while riding a quad bike through the street.
“I just don’t understand how someone like him could do that to two big powerful guys,” he said.
Mr Tylor was shocked when he returned home the next day after staying with a friend overnight.
“It was pretty awful because there were police everywhere, and the bodies were still on the ground in the bags,” he said.
“All of the people from the surrounding houses had come down and were watching.
“The people who live here are lovely, it’s a close- knit community … we don’t know what happened.”
Locals in the surrounding streets
I JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW SOMEONE LIKE HIM COULD DO THAT TO TWO BIG POWERFUL GUYS.” NEIGHBOUR JOHN TYLOR
carry on as usual, with children trailing adults on their bikes.
Mr Webber’s father lives about 20 minutes away in Ayr, in a neat grey house with pot plants in the front yard. The chatter and sound inside dies down as the Bulletin knocks on the door.
A friend of the family driving past the home does a double take and stops outside.
“They’ve had enough, and want to be left alone,” the man said.
Along Ayr’s main strip Queen St, the town’s pub bustles with patrons. Ayr Hotel bartender Naomi Whitely said it was devastating for all four families.
“It’s a tragedy in itself, everything about it,” Ms Whitely said. “Dean’s family are very well respected and known here.
“People are shocked. It’s a small town it’s not something you hear about every day, especially in such a small country town.
Ms Whitely said locals couldn’t believe what had happened but were getting on with it.
“We just want answers over what happened, she said. “I feel like you can’t tuck yourself away, and as harsh as it sounds, life goes on.”