TRIPLE MURDER HORROR: ‘Vicious’ Woman Charged Over Deadly Gladstone House Fire That Claimed Lives of Mum, 36, and Two Young Boys
- A 37-year-old woman has been charged with three counts of murder and two counts of arson over a devastating house fire in Gladstone, central Queensland.
- Jordana Johnson, 36, her son Jordan Norris, 13, and his friend Chazz Mather, 12, tragically lost their lives in the blaze.
- Contessa Leigh Marie Richardson is expected to face Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon, as the community struggles to come to terms with the shocking tragedy.
A woman has been charged with the brutal murder of a mother and two young boys who perished in a horrific house fire in Gladstone, central Queensland. The devastating blaze, which has left the community reeling, claimed the lives of Jordana Johnson, 36, her son Jordan Norris, 13, and his friend Chazz Mather, 12.
Contessa Leigh Marie Richardson, 37, was arrested and charged with three counts of murder and two counts of arson in Brisbane on Friday. She is expected to face Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon, as the families of the victims and the wider community struggle to come to terms with the shocking tragedy.
‘My condolences go out to the family, and we appreciate the support from the public,’ Detective Acting Inspector Brett Richard said in a press conference in Gladstone on Friday afternoon. ‘However, we have still got further enquiries to be made in relation to this.’
Inspector Richard described the investigation as ‘extensive’ and revealed that Ms Richardson was seen in Whiting Street shortly after the fire. She was later taken to hospital with minor injuries.
‘I’m not at liberty at this time to say the specifics of the events, as I said, it’s before the court, however, there is sufficient evidence to commence [criminal] proceedings,’ Inspector Richard said.
The fire, which ravaged the two-storey property on Whiting Street in the suburb of Toolooa, was reported at 6am on October 15.
Emergency services were called to the scene, where they found the bodies of the three victims inside the burning building.
A community gathering will be held at Barney Point Beach this Saturday from 9:30am, where friends and family members will pay their respects and lay fresh flowers along the waterline.
An online fundraiser for the families has so far raised more than $30,000.