Courtroom in Tears: Family Confronts Man Accused Over Young Queensland Mum’s De-a-th as Baby Faces Life Without Her
SHE WAS ONLY FOUR MONTHS OLD WHEN HER MOTHER WAS TAKEN FROM HER..! – HEARTBROKEN FAMILY OF QUEENSLAND MUM STARE DOWN ACCUSED K!LLER DURING EMOTIONAL COURT APPEARANCE.
Heartbroken family members of Queensland mother Jana Armstrong have attended the court hearing of her accused killer, staring him down as the case was mentioned for the first time.
Armstrong, 30, was last seen on July 7, before her body was found in bushland about an hour north of where she lived in Toowoomba late on Saturday night.
Jana Armstrong’s body was found in bushland north of Toowoomba late on Saturday. 9News
Her former partner, Dharminder Singh, has been charged with her murder and DV offences and faced court for the first time on Monday.
The 48-year-old remained silent, holding his head in his hands as he was told he would remain behind bars until the case returned to court in October.
Nearly 20 of Armstrong’s friends and family packed the courtroom, along with members of the public.
Jana Armstrong’s sister Faith Isaacs walked into court with her four-month-old nephew strapped to her chest to face Singh. 9News
Armstrong’s sister Faith Isaacs walked into court with her four-month-old nephew strapped to her chest to face Singh.
“I know that that’s what Jana would want us to do,” she said.
“Everyone just wants to see him.”
Singh’s lawyer said his client would defend the charges.
“My client asserts his innocence, this matter will be defended,” Ramli Salehkon said.
Salehkon said Singh was “quite distressed” about the situation.
Police have confirmed Singh was caring for Armstrong’s four-month-old son after she went missing, including when he was arrested early on Sunday morning.
“He was with a four-month-old,” Detective Acting Superintendent Michael Manago told Today on Monday morning.
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Singh is the father of Armstrong’s son.
Police also confirmed Singh had spoken to police as a witness after Armstrong’s disappearance was first reported.
Police will allege Armstrong was killed sometime on Tuesday night, before being transported in her own car, a white Hyundai Kona, to bushland off Hampton Esk Road.
Singh is accused of throwing Armstrong’s body down a steep cliff.
The morning after her disappearance, Armstrong’s car was found in the middle of Gordon Avenue in Toowoomba with the doors open.
Manago said the “unusual position” of the car prompted police to open an investigation.
Police are still investigating the movements of Armstrong’s car, which was allegedly used to move her body. Today
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“The vehicle is an important part and quite significant to our investigation,” he said.
“That’s what’s prompted our investigation. From the initial reports on the vehicle, we’ve been able to backtrack what’s occurred and that led to a high risk missing person investigation being conducted.”
Manago called on anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of the New England Highway and Hampton Esk Road between 10pm on Tuesday and 2am on Wednesday to come forward.
Floral tributes continued to grow at Armstrong’s home, with handwritten letters expressing love for the cherished mother.
Her family is thankful for the community support.
“It’s keeping us going and especially this little fella,” Isaacs said.
‘So cruel’: Family devastated by death of dedicated mother
Armstrong’s family has paid tribute to the disability worker and mother.
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“She was so caring and loved her son so much, more than anything. She put everyone before herself,” Isaacs said.
“She was just the best sister and an even better mum.”
“It’s cruel, so cruel, and now he has no mum,” Isaacs said.
Tearful family and friends laid flowers at the scene.
“It’s not the breakthrough we wanted at all. But it’s answers, it’s something,” a cousin said.
The community that helped with the search is now shattered.
Faith Isaacs shared her devastation after the death of her sister. Today
“I’m gonna miss her so much. But I know she’s taking care of my daughter, and I’m taking care of her son, I’ll raise him, just the way she would have wanted me to,” Isaacs said.
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Manago said the alleged murder had a “profound” impact on the local community, and that support would be offered to Armstrong’s friends and family.
“Jobs like this are confronting and they’re always difficult,” he said.
“What makes this job more difficult is we have a young 30-year-old mum of a four-month-old child, and that child is going to grow up not knowing their mother now.”
“I extend my sincere and deepest condolences and thoughts to Jana’s families and friends and to anyone who is impacted by this.”
