Margz Smetheram: Mom's adorable post for son days before he allegedly murdered her is heartbreaking
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA: Two weeks prior to the alleged murder of a Queensland woman by her son, the mother wrote "love you heaps" in a social media message for her son's birthday. On February 22, Margz Smetheram posted on Facebook, “Happy birthday to our son Leo. We love you heaps & hope you’re having an awesome day my boy.”
Margz was discovered dead on March 9 in what police have described as a "confronting scene" at a residence in Kallangur, north of Brisbane. Police were called to the residence due to a disturbance. Leo, her 36-year-old son, whose full name is Leonard James Llewellyn Smetheram, was accused of killing her that evening.
READ MORE
The murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel: Mom Cheryl's anguished screams revealed after 9-year-old was shot
Devan Schreiner: Ex-girlfriend found guilty of mail carrier Jason Schaefer's brutal daylight murder
'There was no domestic violence order against the pair'
“The 56-year-old female that was found dead was known to the man that is now in custody and were relatives,” Inspector Ben Fadian told reporters on March 9, before the charge was laid, as per 7News. “There was no domestic violence order against the pair but police had attended the address before on other matters. A member of the public called triple-0 and detectives have been conducting door knocks and taking statements of neighbours."
Formerly residing in New Zealand, Margz and her husband, Graham, recently celebrated 23 years of marriage. It is not implied that her husband was involved in the alleged homicide. Leonard did not reside at the address, according to Fadian. "There is no DV order in place,” he said. While investigations continue, police are asking witnesses to come forward.
There will be a bedside hearing on March 10
Leonard will remain in detention and make his court appearance on March 10 in Pine Rivers. The police prosecutor informed the court that he would not be able to leave the hospital for at least 48 hours, therefore he would do so through a bedside hearing. Instead of delaying the case until March 13, the magistrate ordered a bedside hearing at the hospital on March 10. Brendan Whelan, the attorney for Leonard, announced outside of court that he would ask for a six-week postponement to get a brief of evidence in the case.
