A British-mum-of-two stabbed to death in her home during a terrifying burglary in Australia was "protecting her family", according to her devastated husband.
Emma Lovell, 41, died when she and husband Lee, 43, were stabbed by two intruders breaking into their Queensland home and a 'scuffle' broke out on the front porch on Boxing Day.
Neighbours were alerted to the tragedy when one of their two daughters screamed: "Someone help my mum, help my mum."
Two 17-year-old men have both been charged with one count each of murder, attempted murder and entering a dwelling with intent in company.
Standing outside the family home earlier today, Lee said his wife "died trying to protect me and our family".
He added: "Emma was the glue to my family, she was such a beautiful person.
"We are all just devastated by her loss, it's senseless."
Emma and Lee moved from Suffolk to Australia with their daughters 11 years ago and spent the day before the tragedy celebrating Christmas on the beach.
Lee was released from hospital after being treated from a non-life threatening stab wound.
Christina Lofthouse, 41, Emma's best friend of 33 years, described her as 'the best friend a girl could have'.
She said: "She was the first person I messaged in the morning and the last person I spoke to at night.
"I'm utterly heartbroken my best friend is gone and I don't get to speak to her again, hug her again, laugh with her and cry with her.
"Her poor daughters, husband, mum, brother and sister. As a family we are heartbroken to lose the best friend a girl could have. We had a friendship like no other."
Despite the distance, Christina said the pair were 'always together in spirit' and that Emma had a 'heart of gold'.
She added: "Even though we were 10,000 miles away, we were always together in spirit.
"She truly had a heart of gold and helped me and my family out in some of our darkest days."
Martyn McIntee, 42, was another one of Emma's close friends and also planned on visiting her in Queensland in February.
He said: "Emma was the most amazing person in the world. We were inseparable in high school.
"When we were younger, we had a deal that if we weren't married before we hit 40, we would marry each other.
"I will miss her so much. I can't even imagine the pain her mum, brothers, Lee and their girls are going through."
