The blood-soaked toddler rescued by a hero police officer at a suspected murder-suicide has been identified as the daughter of the mum-to-be who died in the siege.
Emergency services were first called to the property in Charleville, 800km west of Brisbane, after 5pm on Wednesday following reports of a serious assault.
Officers were soon confronted with what police described as a ‘violent crime scene’ and retreated as the incident became threatening over fears of a weapon.
But one officer charged back into danger after noticing a toddler drenched in blood at the bottom of a set of stairs at the front of the home.
He risked his own life to dash into the home to grab her and pluck her to safety, then comforted her and shielded her from the tragedy unfolding at the home.
The young girl, reportedly wearing a blood-stained t-shirt, was then seen being comforted by the officer behind a police car for up to an hour.
‘The way (the police officer) was holding her was…as you would hold a baby, but he had his arms wrapped around her, with his hand making sure she wasn’t actually facing what was happening,’ neighbour Mackenzie-Grace Smith told the Courier Mail.
‘He’s standing with himself facing everything, but he’s got her looking away as if trying to protect her.’
Julia Brunsdon, 23, (pictured) died in a suspected murder-suicide in rural Queensland
The body of Michael Waltke, 45, (pictured) was also found inside the home in Charleville
A hero police officer risked his life to rescue a blood-soaked toddler outside the scene then comforted her as the siege continued
Ms Smith said the little girl was calm as the incident continued.
‘She was absolutely quiet. She didn’t look like anything was wrong,’ she said.
‘It could also be another factor that she was so calm because she was young, she didn’t know what was happening.
‘She had blood literally splattered all over her shirt. It was bloodstained everywhere.’
The girl, who reportedly sustained a minor leg wound, was then taken to hospital in a stable condition.
The officer’s quick actions were hailed by Assistant Queensland Police Commissioner Matthew Vanderbyl, who praised him for stepping in as events turned threatening.
‘It’s extraordinary and I don’t profess to know the full details of that but I will be finding that out because police put themselves in harm’s way every day… and once I know more about that I’ll look to acknowledge that,’ Mr Vanderbyl said.
When specialist officers entered the property around 1am on Thursday, they found the bodies of Julia Brunsdon, 23, and Michael Waltke, 45.
Asst Queensland Police Commissioner Matthew Vanderbyl praised the officer for his actions
Residents in nearby streets were put under a seven-hour lockdown as officers tried to detain a man who they suspected may be armed
The couple are believed to have known each other through Julia’s relative, Rob Brunsdon, (pictured) who ran a Bundaberg-based disability support service with Waltke
Julia was pregnant with Waltke’s child when she died. Friends have since identified the toddler as also being Ms Brunsdon’s child.
Asst Commissioner Vanderbyl said it was a ‘very complex’ investigation and that he was unable to share any further details on the dead couple’s relationship.
It is understood there had been no reports of domestic violence prior to the tragedy.
The Daily Mail revealed Ms Brunsdon and Waltke knew each other through her relative, Rob Brunsdon, who co-owned several businesses with Waltke.
They launched a Bundaberg-based disability support service named M.R Ability Support Services in May 2022. The business provides support and programs to people with disabilities.
They also launched another business together named Universal Support Coordination in June 2022.
However it appears Waltke is no longer tied to either of those businesses, and his withdrawal coincides with the couple’s decision to move 800km to Charleville.
Mr Brunsdon remains directly involved with the disability support service, where Julia also worked as a community support worker.
Ms Brunsdon shared pictures of their new house to a pet agency in the hope of rehoming a German Shepherd dog as the couple started their new life together
It’s unclear when the relationship between Julia and Waltke began, but property records show they bought the King Street home together around two years ago
It’s unclear when the relationship between Julia and Waltke began, but property records show they bought the King Street home together around two years ago.
Ms Brunsdon shared pictures of their new house to a pet agency in the hope of rehoming a German Shepherd dog as the couple started their new life together.
‘We are looking for a loyal and protective companion to share our home and hearts,’ Ms Brunsdon said.
‘If you have a puppy that needs a forever home filled with love and care, please reach out.
‘I’ve uploaded some pics of our new home that we’ve recently bought, to prove that a new fur baby is just the final touch needed and to give you an idea of the kind of home your dog will be coming to.’
Neighbour Veronica Hickson said she was shocked by what happened.
‘It is a little bit frightening, when it happened nearly across the road from where you’re living,’ she told reporters.
‘They were a very quiet couple, you’d see them working in their yard.’
Murweh Mayor Shaun Radnedge told the Daily Mail the Charleville community has been devastated by the incident.
‘This is a heartbreaking day for Charleville and for the wider Murweh community. We are a close-knit town, and an incident of this nature is felt deeply by many people,’ Mayor Radnedge said.
‘The little baby has survived. I don’t know how or don’t know why, but it’s there.’
Asst Commissioner Vanderbyl echoed the Mayor’s comments.
‘These types of events affect communities badly, let alone small communities,’ he said.
‘It will be something that will have a tragic impact on the wider community of Charleville and the police, friends and relatives of the deceased, who our thoughts remain with today.’
If you or someone you know is in need of support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
