Police charge Bellbird Park woman with murder after weeks-long investigation into Katherine Sanowski’s death
A woman has been charged with murder following the shocking death of another woman whose body was found at a home in south-west Brisbane weeks ago.
Police were first called to a property in Beryl Court on February 19 following reports of street disturbances.
Inside, officers found the body of 42-year-old Katherine Sanowski, dating back to early February, who had been dead for nearly two weeks.
The 34-year-old woman who was at the scene was taken to the hospital for a medical check-up.
Detective Inspector Michael Manago said an autopsy revealed suspicious circumstances surrounding Ms Sanowski’s death, leading to an escalation of the murder investigation.
He stated that the women knew each other but that there had been no previous reports of domestic violence, adding: “The dynamics of their relationship remains an important subject of our investigation.”
On Tuesday, Queensland Police confirmed detectives from the Ipswich Criminal Investigation Branch and Homicide Squad had charged the 34-year-old Bellbird Park resident with one count of murder and a domestic violence offence.
He is currently in custody and will appear at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court this afternoon.
Following her death, a GoFundMe was set up to support Ms. Sanowski’s grieving family, including her young child.
Her friend Rowena Clarke, who started the fundraiser, described Ms Sanowski as “kind, positive and generous beyond words” and described her death as “unimaginable”.
“Kate’s passing occurred in devastating and tragic circumstances… The only thing that remains constant is the immense grief her family bears at this time,” Ms Clarke said.
“He was the kind of person who always showed up with a smile and an open heart around others.
“Kate was a loving mother and devoted daughter. Her family was her world, and everything she did for them came from a place of love.”
