A British mum has been killed in a terrifying burglary in Australia. Mum-of-two Emma Lovell was tragically stabbed to death on Boxing Day after two intruders broke into the family's home in Queensland.
Emma, 41, and husband Lee, 43, were both stabbed during the incident as a 'scuffle' broke out on the front porch after two men broke into the house.
Lee suffered a non-life threatening stab wound and has now been released from hospital following treatment. The couple, originally from Suffolk, moved to Australia 11 years ago wth their two daughters.
The Mirror reports that two males, aged 17, have now been arrested and charged with one count each of murder, attempted murder and entering a dwelling with intent in company.
Devastated friends have now paid tribute to Emma and say she had a "heart of gold". Her best friend of 33 years, Christina Lofthouse, 41, said she was utterly heartbroken.
"She was the first person I messaged in the morning and the last person I spoke to at night.
"I'm utterly heartbroken that 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 that the pair were 'always together in spirit' and that Emma had a 'heart of gold'.
She said: "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."
Another of Emma's close friends Martyn McIntee, 42, was planning a trip to visit the family 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."
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