Valentine’s Day has ended in tragedy on the Sunshine Coast after a woman was found dead and covered in blood in a hotel room at Pelican Waters Resort.
Sunshine Coast detectives have charged a man with murder following investigations into the death of the 46-year-old Burpengary woman on 14 February.
Police will allege that around 3.35pm staff from the Mahogany Drive resort attended the room that the man and woman were staying in to conduct a welfare check.
“They had a social function down there on the weekend, where a number of people were staying at the unit,” Detective Inspector Dave Drinnen told media at Caloundra Police Station on Tuesday morning.
“They were due to book out in the morning so they (resort staff) did a welfare check in relation to one of the rooms. When they undertook that they found a female deceased on the bed in the room and there was another unconscious male in the room
“The Queensland Ambulance Service arrived and at that stage he was conscious and was able to speak with QAS.”
Detective Inspector Drinnen said it was a very tragic incident for every person who attended the scene.
“It was physically obvious that she was deceased. She was covered in blood and there were also some wounds on her arms,” he said.
Police were notified and attended soon after arresting the man at the scene.
A 50-year-old Bli Bli man, Jeffrey James Godfrey, was charged on Tuesday 15 February with murder (domestic violence offence).
Detective Inspector Drinnen said the couple, who have ties to the Sunshine Coast, were known to police but had minimal dealings with the pair.
“We will be alleging that they were involved in an intimate relationship,” he said.
“We’ve identified a number of people that are speaking with police which will help us piece together the lead up to this tragic event.
“We’ll have an autopsy which will not only give us the cause of death but will allow us understand as to how that death was caused which is going to assist us with the investigation.
“All I can say at this time is we suspect that there was some sort of weapon used to make those wounds.”
It’s just another tragic loss of life, Detective Inspector Drinnen said.
“It’s a tragedy that it has occurred on the Sunshine Coast here. We have a woman who has lost a life, we have a male person who is now being charged in relation to murder. There’s going to be a lot of mourning. There needs to be support built around all family members in relation to this.”
Detective Inspector Drinnen said a large portion of Pelican Waters Resort was still open to the public, with a section being secured by police.
Jeffrey Godfrey’s matter was mentioned in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning and has been remanded in custody until 6 May.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you should report it to police.
Support and counselling is available from the following agencies:
DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811
DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636
1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
