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The man accused of his mother’s murder, remembered by his family as intelligent and caring, is struggling to understand what is happening, his lawyer says.
Slade Murdok, 30, has been charged with the kidnapping and murder of his mother, Wendy Sleeman, who disappeared from her Gold Coast home on January 25.
The 61-year-old woman’s body was found in the boot of her car parked in a Brisbane drive block two days later.
Murdok was arrested the day before his body was found and charged with a series of crimes, including kidnapping. On Tuesday, he was charged with his murder.
Slade Murdok’s lawyer, Rodney Keyte (pictured), told reporters that his client is struggling behind bars.
Wendy Sleeman (pictured), 61, disappeared from her Gold Coast home on January 25.
‘He is going through his own struggles and is being accused of matricide; he is trying to figure this all out in his head,” lawyer Rodney Keyte told reporters outside the court in Brisbane on Tuesday.
It will take you a long time to process that information, just like anyone else.
Murdok has spent the past six days at the Brisbane watch house after being denied bail last week.
Keyte said Murdok has asked him to look into whether a second bail application can be filed with the Supreme Court.
“I have received instructions and we are following those instructions at this stage,” he said.
‘This is a very early stage; His instructions to me are that he has had no involvement in or knowledge of this incident.’
Mr Keyte appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on behalf of his client on Tuesday to request a delay in the delivery of DNA swabs and fingerprints.
“He has a hand injury that makes it difficult for him to give his fingerprints,” Keyte told the court.
(The request is) one that would allow him not to give a fingerprint until his hand has healed, but I told him I don’t think the court can do (that)’.
The request was denied.
Mr. Murdok also faces charges of illegal stalking, robbery, assault causing bodily harm, kidnapping, attempted arson, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Ms Sleeman’s body was discovered in the boot of her own car parked in a Brisbane drive block (pictured the location where Ms Sleeman’s body was found)
Murdok was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged in the disappearance of his mother.
Ms Sleeman’s brother and sister have asked people to remember her as kind, fun and loving.
They described Ms. Sleeman as an intelligent woman with a great love for Labradors, and asked those who wished to make donations in her memory to the Labrador Retriever Club of Queensland.
Mike Sleeman and Meg Sleeman have thanked the police for their efforts in investigating the murder.
“We acknowledge the tireless work of the Burleigh Heads CIB on this case,” the couple said in a statement.
Now we can put our dear sister to rest. We are deeply saddened by Wendy’s death.
‘In accordance with Wendy’s wishes, there will be no funeral.
We will miss our dear sister forever and ask you to respect our privacy at this terrible time.
Ms Sleeman’s brother and sister have asked people to remember her as kind, fun and loving.
Police noticed a blue Honda Jazz speeding away from Ms Sleeman’s home, allegedly driven by her son, when they arrived in response to their report of a possible burglary.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, the regional crime coordinator, Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith, said it appeared Ms Sleeman had been subjected to traumatic violence, but said providing more details would be unfair to her. family.
He said Queensland police had a strong case against Murdok, who has been “maintaining his right to silence” during investigations.
“We have found some physical evidence, electronic evidence and other evidence,” Superintendent Smith said.
The matter has been adjourned to Southport Magistrates Court for mention of prosecution on 14 February.
Police allege that pools of blood were found at Ms. Sleeman’s Elanora home.
Emergency crews were called to Ms Sleeman’s Gold Coast home at 3:30pm on Tuesday after she reported a possible burglary.
Officers believe Ms. Sleeman may have been inside a blue Honda Jazz that drove away from her home when police arrived.
The police are now looking for a white Ford Laser, which they believe Murdok used to travel to the Gold Coast and kidnap her.
Officers are calling on members of the public who may have seen the vehicle with a license plate of 483ZPG to alert authorities.