Two teens charged with the murder of a man found dead in the front yard of his home have lengthy criminal histories and were allegedly involved in at least two robberies in the days prior.
Zdravko Bilic, 57, the husband of skincare mogul Gry Tomte, was allegedly stabbed outside the couple’s home in Warana on Queensland‘s Sunshine Coast, on Monday.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after a neighbour reported Mr Bilic was unresponsive in his front yard.
He is believed to have been stabbed twice in the stomach after he allegedly confronted a thief breaking into his $2.5million five-bedroom home.
Police made a breakthrough on Thursday morning when they charged two teenage boys, aged 15 and 17, with murder.
One was arrested as he got off a bus, while the other was arrested on a street on Wednesday night.
New details emerged when the teens appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday, where they were remanded in custody.
The court heard that both the parents of one boy were in prison, while the other teen was in foster care.
Zdravko Bilic, 57, (right), the husband of successful skincare mogul Gry Tomte (left), was found dead in the front yard of their Sunshine Coast home on Monday
Two teens charged over Mr Bilic’s death allegedly have lengthy criminal histories. One teens is pictured during his arrest
It’s understood both teens were known to police and the Department of Child Safety, The Courier Mail reported.
Police will allege the boys were involved in another break-in on the night of the alleged murder, and another in the days prior.
‘We will be alleging a number of break-and-enters for the boys,’ Detective Inspector Chris Toohey said.
‘The vehicle was a stolen car from Brisbane, there were linked offences to that car and they have been charged with some of those offences.’
He added that investigations into Mr Bilic’s death continue.
Police have also located the alleged murder weapon – a knife – which is undergoing forensic testing.
The matter has been adjourned and will return to court on September 10.
Thursday’s breakthrough came as Ms Tomte, the founder of HÜD Skin and Body clinic, opened up about the heartbreak of losing her ‘entire world’ of 28 years.
The couple were due to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary next month
The teens (one pictured during his arrest) were remanded in custody when they faced court
The couple were due to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary next month.
‘We were complete opposites – and together we made a whole. People say I’m the strong one – but I could only be strong because he allowed me to be, and because he wrapped his arms around me daily to make sure I could,’ Ms Tomte said.
‘He selflessly, and with much pride, stood in the shadows and pushed me forward.
‘But apart from being my world, and that of his family and close friends, he was so much to others too.’
She recalled how one neighbour described him as ‘the whole street’s favourite person.’
‘If you’ve had the privilege of being in Zed’s presence, you’ll know that he was literal sunshine. And the world is a little less bright without him in it,’ Ms Tomte said.
Investigations into Zvradko Bilic’s death continue
