Two teens charged with murder of Warana businessman Zdravko Bilic, found stabbed outside $2.5m home
Zdravko Bilic
, who was found stabbed to death outside his home in Warana on the evening of Monday, July 14. Sunshine Coast detectives have apprehended a 15-year-old boy from West Woombye and a 17-year-old boy from Beerwah, both charged with murder. They are expected to appear in
Maroochydore Children's Court
on Thursday, July 17.
After Monday's stabbing incident, police and emergency services were called to the Napalle Street property around 7:35 p.m. AEST after a neighbour discovered Bilic unresponsive in the front yard.
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He was declared dead at the scene. Investigators confirmed he had sustained two stab wounds to the abdomen.
Bilic's wife, Gry Susann Tomte, was interstate on a business trip at the time. Police said she became concerned after not hearing from her husband and asked a neighbour to check on him. That neighbour later made the emergency call.
Tomte, originally from Norway, is the founder of the Melbourne-based skincare company HÜD Skin + Body, which has clinics in St Kilda and
Northcote
.
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She described her husband as 'the kindest, gentlest person I've ever known' and said he was 'loved by everyone who had the fortune of meeting him.'
Detective Inspector Chris Toohey said police are examining multiple lines of inquiry. Investigators are focusing on the window between 11 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Monday to determine when the fatal attack occurred.
They are also looking into whether Bilic's body may have been lying in the yard for several hours before it was found.
Bilic and Tomte purchased the $2.5 million property in December 2021. Friends and locals described Bilic as a 'great guy' and 'an absolute gentleman.' He was a member of the Sunshine Coast Supa Oldies group, which said his death was a 'devastating loss.'
Inspector Toohey said Warana, known for its beaches and upscale homes, is considered one of the safest areas of the Sunshine Coast. He called the incident 'terrible' and said the community was deeply shocked.
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