The Case of the Two D3:aths Inside the King Street Home Takes a Shocking Turn: The Identity of the Man Named Rob Brunsdon Has Finally Been Revealed
A pregnant woman killed in a suspected murder-suicide with her much older lover during a seven-hour siege in Queensland was the close relative of his business partner, the Daily Mail can reveal.
The bodies of Julia Brunsdon, 23, and Michael Waltke, 45, were found inside a King Street home in Charleville, 800km west of Brisbane, early on Thursday morning.
The couple are believed to have known each other through Julia’s close relative, Rob Brunsdon, who launched a Bundaberg-based disability support service with Waltke in May 2022.
The business, named M.R ABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES, 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.
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.
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Julia Brunsdon, 23, (pictured) died in a suspected murder-suicide in rural Queensland
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The body of Michael Waltke, 45, (pictured) was also found inside the home in Charleville
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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
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.’
Julia was pregnant with Wiltke’s child when she died. A toddler was also found in front of the home when the siege began, with one officer rushing in to pluck the little girl to safety.
Emergency services were first called to the property after 5pm on Wednesday following reports of a serious assault.
‘(Officers) were confronted with what was clearly quite a violent crime scene,’ Assistant Queensland Police Commissioner Matthew Vanderbyl said.
‘There were suggestions of further weapons being involved and as a result of that they had to tactically withdraw for their own safety.
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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
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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
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The couple, who are believed to have known each other through a disability support service that Julia’s relative owned with Mr Waltke, bought the property two years ago
‘But as they did, a young child was located at the front stairs of the residence and police put themselves back into harm’s way to remove the child from the premises.
‘It’s quite clear the child may have well witnessed a tragic set of events.’
The Daily Mail understands the toddler was found with a minor leg wound and was taken to hospital in a stable condition.
‘The young person is safe,’ Asst Commissioner Vanderbyl added. ‘I understand it was a toddler who was able to walk, only just of walking age.’
The senior policeman said officers were confronted with a ‘terrible’ scene when they arrived after 5pm.
‘The situation became quite dynamic and quite threatening to police quite quickly and they withdrew to a point of safety,’ he said.
‘Negotiators were engaged at that point and then specialist police were activated from Brisbane.’
As the situation unfolded, police locked down several streets around the home from 5.59pm, ordering residents to stay inside while specialist officers tried to negotiate with a man they believed was armed.
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Emergency services were first called to the King St property on Wednesday evening after reports of a serious assault
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Residents in nearby streets were put under a seven-hour lockdown as officers tried to detain a man who they suspected may be armed
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 lockdown remained in place for about seven hours before it was lifted at 1.42am.
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.’
No officers or members of the public were injured during the incident.
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.
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Julia Brunsdon was pregnant with Wiltke’s child when she died
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Southern Region Asst Commissioner Matthew Vanderbyl said police were confronted with a ‘terrible’ scene
‘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.’
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16032857/charleville-murder-suicide-business-link-julia-brunsdon-michael-waltke.html
