A 43-year-old Punjabi man has been charged with the murder of his wife and mother-in-law in the suburb of Gordonvale near Cairns on Monday afternoon.
Balwinder Ghuman also injured his 17-year-old daughter. She suffered minor wounds to her face and his 72-year-old father-in-law is being treated in hospital for serious injuries.
Detective Superintendent Ray Rohweder said the girl was trying to stop the attack.
“At this stage we certainly believe the younger female was trying to assist her mother,” he said.
“It’s horrific, it really is. The emergency service workers… turned up there yesterday afternoon… to what can only be described as a horrific blood-soaked scene.”
Manjinder Ghuman, 43, was stabbed in the family home and her 66-year-old mother was attacked in the yard of a property across the street.
Reports say an argument about alcohol triggered the attack.
A neighbour, Reece Coutts, told The Courier Mail he saw a knife and a pool of blood on a driveway opposite his home.
“It wasn’t pretty at all. A man was on the ground, laughing, while police were talking to him,” he said.
Det Sup Rohweder pleaded with anyone who believed they were in danger or anyone who believed they could harm others to seek help immediately.
“I mean we have children without a mother and grandmother, we have a grandfather without a wife and daughter — so it’s just a terrible, terrible situation.”
Graham Booysen, who worked at Cornetts IGA supermarket with Mrs Ghuman, told Nine News how the tragedy had shaken town.
“Manjinder has worked here for 10 years,” he said. “Everyone loved her.”
Father of two Balwinder Singh Ghuman, 48, is charged with two counts of murder following an alleged double homicide at Gordonvale on Monday afternoon.
Mr Ghuman is also facing one count of attempted murder against his 72-year-old father-in-law Sarwan Singh Ghuman, plus two other charges.
The accused was represented in court by Fabia Parker of Philip Bovey and Company Lawyers.
Mr Ghuman is still in custody but was not brought in to court when the matter was mentioned. The case has been adjourned until April 13 to allow prosecutors to continue compiling their brief of evidence.
If you are the victim of domestic violence, or know someone who might be, please call the Crisis Care Helpline (08) 9223 1111 or free call 1800 199 008.