Wheelchair-bound mother Carmel Pierce and her disabled son Marcus are burned to death in brutal house fire – decades after tragedy struck the family
A wheelchair-bound mother and her disabled son died in a horrific house fire, decades after another family member was murdered.
Emergency services rushed to Cypress Street in Woodridge, south Brisbane, about 6pm on Sunday after reports a two-storey house was on fire.
The bodies of Carmel Pierce, in her 80s, and her disabled son Marcus, in his 60s, were found in the house.
It is understood Ms Pierce was wheelchair-bound and called her neighbors for help after becoming trapped by the flames.
The house fire was another tragic blow to an already grieving family after Mrs. Pierce lost both of her daughters – one to suicide and the other to murder.
Emergency services rushed to Cypress Street in Woodridge, south Brisbane, about 6pm on Sunday after reports a two-storey house was on fire (pictured)
Carmel Pierce, in her 80s, and her disabled son Marcus, in his 60s, died in the fire
Cary-Jane was murdered in 1988 and abandoned in nearby bushland Gateway Bridge – an area known as ‘Rabbits Hill’.
Police discovered the killer hit Cary-Jane on the back of the head with a rock and tied the strap of her canvas knapsack around her neck.
Cary-Jane was 26 years old at the time and her murder remains unsolved.
Tributes have been paid to Mrs Pierce and her son, with locals describing the mother as a vibrant and caring woman.
Councilor Teresa Lane said Ms Pierce, who worked with the Queensland Department of Corrections and crime victims, dedicated much of her career to those in need.
“She was lively, sassy and witty, a woman who loved her family and stood up for vulnerable people,” Ms Lane told the newspaper. Courier mail.
“Carmel will be mourned by family, friends, former colleagues and many community members, including elected members of all three levels of government.
Ms. Pierce’s daughter, Cary-Jane, was brutally murdered in 1988. Her murder remains unsolved
‘Her son Marcus, who also died in the fire, was her support, best friend and carer over the years, after moving from Sydney to support her in remaining independent.’
Deputy Prime Minister Cameron Dick also shared a moving tribute to Ms Pierce and her son, claiming the fire had ‘shocked the entire community’.
“You had a son caring for his mother and the fact that they would both lose their lives in these terrible circumstances… it’s just terrible… it’s heartbreaking,” Mr Dick said.
Mr Dick added that he knew Ms Pierce “quite well” and described her as having a “great sense of humour”.
He said she was an energetic person until her health deteriorated in recent years.