A 52-year-old grandfather has been charged with murdering his two-month-old granddaughter and attempting to murder his wife and daughter at a home in Parkinson, in Brisbane's south. A bedside hearing was held this afternoon in hospital and the man has been remanded in custody.
Police announced the charges shortly after issuing a statement from the father of the two-month-old girl, who thanked the public and asked for privacy as the family comes to terms with the horrific attack. "My wife and I would like to extend our thanks to the community for the support they have shown to us since this tragic incident that occurred within our family home on Wednesday," Tenglong Xu said.
"We are struggling to come to terms with the loss of our daughter and with the terrible injuries that my wife and her mother have suffered. "Whilst we appreciate the support we have received, we would like to ask members of the community and the media to please respect our privacy and the dignity of our family at this time and allow us to deal with this difficult situation and to grieve for our daughter as a family in our own private manner."
The grandfather allegedly lashed out in rage at the home on Wednesday after he was confronted about not taking his medication, according to reports. Both of the injured women remain in hospital. Local Pastor Robert Chua, who met the grandfather briefly last Sunday when he attended a service at the nearby New Hope Community Church, told AAP the man was smiling and holding his granddaughter in his arms in the days before the attack.
"He was very normal, very loving," Mr Chua said on Thursday night.
"He was carrying the little baby and smiling and walking around.
"I didn't see him when he left but I was told he said: `See you later, see you next Sunday'. "These are like normal visitors from China. We get many of them every Sunday.
