Friends have paid tribute to popular Gold Coast dog breeder Wendy Sleeman, whose body was found in a car at a Brisbane apartment complex yesterday.
Her son Slade Murdok was charged with multiple offences after being arrested at Durack in Brisbane's south on Wednesday afternoon.
The 30-year-old appeared in a Brisbane court on Thursday, where he was refused bail.
Mr Murdok has been charged with unlawful stalking, burglary, assault occasioning bodily harm, kidnapping, attempted arson, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
The 61-year-old Ms Sleeman was reported missing from Elanora on the Gold Coast on Tuesday, prompting a desperate two-day police search to find her.
Police say the forensic examination of electronic data led them to a rented garage at Windsor on Thondley Street, on Brisbane's north side, where they found a blue Honda Jazz with the body inside.
Labrador Retriever Club of Queensland president Wilhelm Chang said Ms Sleeman was always there to help those in need.
"Wendy was a strong, intelligent, but soft-spoken woman with firm views on what she believes," Mr Chang said.
"Always there for those who were in need."
He said she was committed to Labrador retrievers and she had been involved with the breed for 27 years.
"Her love of the dogs was beyond their welfare, the absolute best breeding, their health, and above all, the best owners she can get for them. Some of her dogs had gone to guide dogs and as therapy dogs for autistic kids," Mr Chang said.
"The club are putting up a tribute in her Lissatink [kennel] name in a perpetual trophy and will get a special conformation show in her memorial in recognition reminder of her contribution to the community.
"We are all just devastated."
Treasurer of the club, Cath Wardle, said Ms Sleeman was a popular member of the dog-breeding community.
"She was a lovely person and well-liked in the labrador land and it's just so sad," Ms Wardle said.
"I want to do something for her, I'm sure all the others will too."
She said Ms Sleeman's dogs are being looked after by a close friend.
'She was adored by many of us'
Friend Monica Zwolsman — who met Ms Sleeman while they both worked at a local language school – said the last time they spoke was last week.
"I did say to her how things are going and she said it was a long conversation that needed to be had over coffee," she said.
Ms Zwolsman described Ms Sleeman as a caring and genuine person who loved dogs.
"She's a very quietly spoken person, she's such a warm-hearted and generous person," she said.
"Even when she was going through very tough times she always had an open heart and a warm hug for anyone who needed comfort.
"She was the first person people would want to go to to tell their problems … she was adored by many of us."
