Mom, 2 Boys Were Killed in a House Fire While Kids Had a Sleepover. The Sole Survivor Has Just Been Charged with Murder
A 37-year-old woman in Australia has been charged with murder and arson offenses following a house fire that resulted in the deaths of two young boys and a woman, police have said.
Police and emergency services were called to reports of a fire at a Whiting Street property in the Gladstone suburb of Toolooa, Queensland, shortly before 6 a.m. local time on Oct. 15, Queensland Police said in a news release.
“Upon arrival, the house was fully engulfed, and the fire was extinguished a short time later,” police said, confirming that three people were “located deceased within the residence.”
“The bodies of a 36-year-old woman and 13-year-old boy from Toolooa, and a 12-year-old boy from Barney Point were identified,” the release shared on Friday, Oct. 24 stated.
Police added, “A 37-year-old woman from Toolooa has been charged with three counts of murder, and two counts of arson.”
Queensland Police didn’t have any additional information to add at this time when contacted by PEOPLE, and a police spokesperson wasn’t able to confirm the suspect’s name.
The Toolooa woman facing the charges has been identified as Contessa Leigh Marie Richardson by outlets including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Australian Associated Press (AAP).
According to the ABC, victims Jordana Johnson, 36, her son Jordan Norris, 13, and his friend Chazz Mather, 12, died in the fire.
Chazz was believed to have been visiting for a sleepover at the time of the tragedy, per the AAP.
The news agency stated that it took fire crews almost two hours to extinguish the blaze, with search efforts for the three victims being hampered by the property’s top story collapsing.
Queensland house fire
Richardson, who was injured while escaping the fire, faced a brief bedside hearing in the hospital on Friday. She’s set to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Nov. 24, the AAP reported.
“Any investigation that involves a fire, unfortunately, leaves very little evidence for us to go on,” acting Detective Inspector Brett Richard said after the woman was charged. He didn’t go into detail about a possible motive for the alleged crime, per the AAP.
“I’m not at liberty to say the specifics of the events … however, there is sufficient evidence to commence proceedings,” Richard said, declining to comment on whether the three victims were locked inside the home, the news agency reported.
A GoFundMe page paid tribute to the “three beautiful souls” lost in the fire.
A description read, “Jordana Johnson, a loving mother who tragically lost her life alongside her beloved son, Jordan Norris and his best mate Chazz Mather, who were inseparable.”
“Jordana was a devoted mother with a big heart. She loved life and her three children were her world. Jordan was a playful, fun and cheeky kid who was protective of his sisters, mother and friends. Chazz was an outgoing loving soul with a cheeky attitude who always looked out for the people he loved,” the message added.
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The page read, “The recent housefire in Gladstone has ripped apart not only two families but the entire community,” stating, “The family want to thank the community and the outpouring of support we have recieved around the country who have expressed their condolences, love and support during this time [sic].”
“The donations recieved [sic] will go directly to Jordana’s two daughters to start over who lost everything of their mother’s home and Chazz’s mother and 7 siblings as both families navigate and rebuild after such a devastating loss,” the description concluded.
Over 1,000 people also gathered at Barney Point Beach in Yallarm — the traditional name for Gladstone — on Saturday, Oct. 25 to honor the victims with traditional dancing, as well as a smoking ceremony, an ocean cleansing ceremony and a water blessing, the ABC reported. The location is a special healing place for Gooreng Gooreng people, the outlet noted.
The GoFundMe page had raised over $22,000 as of Monday, Oct. 27.