A Brisbane man has been charged with murder by “reckless indifference” after allegedly supplying drugs to two people, then failing to render assistance when they suffered what police describe as an “adverse reaction”.
Queensland police Det Sen Sgt Nick Jones told reporters there had been four children – aged between five and 15 – at the property in Kentville Street at Mitchelton, north-west of Brisbane, when the deaths occurred on Thursday and that one had called 000 for help.
On arrival emergency services found a Mitchelton woman, 35, and a man described by police as a “friend”, 61, unresponsive. They were declared dead at the scene.
Police said also located a man, 41, from Greenslopes, at the property.
He was later arrested and charged with murder. Jones said the man had assisted police and participated in a record of interview. He is due to face court on Friday.
Jones said it was alleged the man supplied drugs to the dead man and woman, and that “we’re pretty confident that at least some of those drugs were cocaine and amphetamines”.
He said the alleged victims had an “adverse reaction” but that it would not be clear whether that related to the quantity or quality of the drugs they consumed until toxicology and drug analysis results were obtained.
“These adverse reactions happened that night and [the accused man allegedly] stayed overnight,” Jones said.
“We’re not sure of the exact timeframe, part of the investigation is establishing that exact timeline. We believe he was there when the drugs were used.”
Jones said police contacted the father and grandmother of the children found at the scene, who were now in the care of close family.
“It was a traumatic situation for the children, they were taken to a place of safety,” he said.
In 2019, Queensland changed its definition of murder to include cases of “reckless indifference to life”.
Questioned about why police had preferred a murder charge, Jones told reporters: “It’s a complex legal issue, I’ll grant you that.”
“However we believe that’s the most appropriate charge that relates to the circumstances involved. There is an onus on people where others are in difficulties, particularly medical difficulties, to take some action where appropriate.
“Our allegation will be, as per my original statement, that did not occur.”
He did not appear in Brisbane magistrates court when his charges were mentioned on Friday.
His charges are set to be mentioned again in the same court on 8 October.
