Four arrested, one charged after grandmother stabbed

Another four boys have been arrested after a 70-year-old woman was fatally stabbed in front of her granddaughter outside a Queensland shopping centre.

Three 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old were on Monday taken into custody in Ipswich west of Brisbane and are assisting police.

Another 15-year-old boy was charged earlier and appeared in an Ipswich court on Monday following the fatal stabbing of the grandmother, identified as Vyleen White.

Ms White had been shopping with her six-year-old granddaughter at Redbank Plains west of Brisbane when she was stabbed in the chest in the centre's car park on Saturday.

She died at the scene a short time later.

The girl was unharmed.

The 15-year-old who was charged had a closed hearing in court on Monday after the magistrate refused permission for media to publish the details.

He was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle after handing himself into police on Sunday night.

"That does not mean there will not be further charges," Detective Acting Superintendent Heath McQueen told reporters on Monday.

Detectives had earlier released CCTV footage of four youths in a Hyundai Getz, allegedly stolen from Ms White.

"Sadly the motive was to steal a Hyundai Getz," Det McQueen said of the fatal stabbing.

Residents lay flowers
Police believe the motive for the attack was to steal Ms White's car.

"I stand before you today talking to you about a murder of a grandmother in front of a six-year-old ... and the result was a stolen Hyundai Getz - that is the motive."

He described it as a "callous, cowardly, violent crime".

"She was a loving, family woman," he said.

"She was taking her granddaughter to the shops. This is senseless violence."

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said she would speak with Ms White's family on Monday.

"I offer my sincere condolences and sympathy to Vyleen's family on what has truly been a tragic day in Redlands," she said.

"We have thrown everything at this and we will continue to do so until we have identified all of the offenders and we bring them before the courts.

"We will hunt these people down until we bring them to justice."

Floral tributes for Ms White were left at the Redbank Plains shopping centre on Monday while supporters organised a GoFundMe page.

It had raised almost $13,000 for Ms White's family by Monday afternoon.

"They have lost a mother, grandmother, a wife and loved family member of their family," the fundraiser page said.

Police attend a crime scene in Ipswich
Queensland Police remain at the scene of Saturday's attack on Monday.

"They are all so overwhelmed and so warm hearted by the community at such a difficult time."

Fundraiser Katherine Lameree said she hoped to raise money for Ms White's family and also tell the community about her legacy.

"She was such a selfless woman - with so much care for her family and absolutely anyone she came into contact with," the page said.

"This is what they want her to be remembered by and not defined by the act of someone else."

Ipswich Mayor Theresa Harding on Monday said the attack had shocked the community, describing it as a "punch in the guts" to locals.

Ipswich Superintendent Kylie Rigg said a mobile police beat van would remain outside Redbank Plains shopping centre for weeks to reassure community safety.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store