Tributes flow for 'irreplaceable' Brisbane mother after stabbing

A community is reeling after beloved nurse Carra Samantha Luke, 48, died at her house north of Brisbane, sparking a homicide investigation.

Shane Donald Scheikowski, 52, who is reported to be Luke’s former partner, has been charged with murder.

Emergency services were called to Luke’s Taigum residence about 12.30am on Saturday and found her with “significant stab wounds”.

Carra Luke, 48, was found unconscious in her Taigum bedroom by family members this morning, just after midnight.
Carra Luke, 48, was found unconscious in her Taigum bedroom by family members. (Nine)

They tried reviving her but she was declared dead at the scene.

A homicide investigation was launched and Scheikowski was taken into custody for questioning on Saturday.

He was charged yesterday with murder (domestic violence offence) and entering a dwelling with intent.

Scheikowski’s matter was heard in Brisbane Magistrates Court today but he was not required to appear.

His solicitor did not apply for bail and confirmed to magistrate Belinda Merrin that Scheikowski was applying for legal aid.

Merrin remanded Scheikowski in custody and adjourned the matter to September 8 in the same court.

Following investigations, police visited a home on Hackman Street in McDowall at 1.10am and arrested a 52-year-old man.
Police visited a home on Hackman Street in McDowall at 1.10am and arrested 52-year-old Shane Donald Scheikowski. (Nine)

Queensland Police this morning were still at the Taigum home where Luke was found as the local community tried to comprehend the tragedy.

Her employer of 20 years, Nundah Doctor Surgery, shared a tribute to Luke, vowing to always keep her in their hearts.

“A most empathic and caring human being, nurse, mother, and friend Carra has been with us for 20 years and was the heart and soul of the practice,” Dr Margaret Cotter said in a statement. 

“She is irreplaceable, and we will miss her every day.”

Luke’s loved ones remembered her as someone who made everyone who knew her feel like part of her family.

“Carra was a remarkable woman who touched countless lives with her warmth, generosity, and unwavering kindness,” the Luke family said in a statement to The Courier-Mail.

“Through her compassion and gentle spirit, she carried the power to comfort, encourage, and uplift others, leaving behind memories that will be cherished forever.

“Though her time with us was far too short, she filled every moment with care and an open heart.”

Friends have also taken to social media to share their devastation, with former Brisbane Lord Mayoral candidate Tracey Price remembering Luke as a “beautiful woman”.

“She was always smiling and a great mum,” she wrote on Facebook.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the incident as “gut wrenching” before pointing to domestic violence reforms to be ushered in by state parliament this week.

He said they would help fix a system left “broken” by the former Labor government.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli. (Dominic Lorrimer)

Reforms include giving officers the power to issue immediate police protection directions in a bid to reduce trauma through exposure to the courts.

New laws introduced by the Liberal National government have ensured 150 domestic violence offenders were monitored by GPS monitoring under a trial program from July 1.

“It’s just so horrendously sad and gut-wrenching, and it shows that the system is broken and we’ll be making changes this week,” Crisafulli told reporters today.

“If those changes can even prevent one woman going through that, even one, it’ll be worthwhile.

“And you know I point to GPS trackers as an example of one of the changes that we promised them we’ll be doing.”

Queensland has been hit hard by domestic violence with 19,658 offenders recorded in 2023-24, behind NSW’s 34,055 offenders, national data shows.

Queensland Police respond to up to 180,000 domestic and family violence calls every year.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491

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