Woman found stuffed into chest named as chilling note emerges
A woman found dead inside a furniture chest in a Gold Coast unit has been identified, as her family reveals that a suicide note was left by her alleged killer that states why her life was taken.
Lourdi “Lordy” Ramadan was discovered inside the chest at the Sapphire at the Broadwater apartment in Labrador on Friday, where a man’s body was found a short time earlier.
Police are treating the deaths of Ms Ramadan, 48, and the 53-year-old man as a murder-suicide.
Authorities believe the pair had been in a relationship for about 10 years, and suspect Ms Ramadan had been dead for approximately a week when her body was found.
"We believe the female person is in a more advanced state than the male," Gold Coast District Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn told reporters on Saturday, describing the incident as a “tragic event”.
Family distraught by loss of their sister, daughter
While police are yet to formally identify the body, Ms Ramadan’s family confirmed her identity to the Brisbane Times.
Ms Ramadan’s younger sister, Marina, told the publication their bond was “unbreakable”.
“We were extremely close growing up, we had the same friends throughout most of our lives, worked together at some stages in our lives,” Marina said.
“We were always there for one another... our bond was unbreakable.”
Ms Ramadan suffered from a number of health issues, including fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that causes pain in the muscles and bones, and it’s believed her partner was also her carer.
Unable to have her own children, Marina said Ms Ramadan loved her nephew like he was her own.
“A life taken away too soon. Lordy was beautiful, kind and a generous loving soul, always putting others’ needs before hers.
“Nothing breaks our hearts more than having a world that no longer has her in it.”
A GoFundMe page set up by Ms Ramadan’s brother, Alex, is aiming to raise money to bring her body back to Victoria and “give her the farewell she deserves”.
'Suicide note' left by partner
In an interview with ABC, Alex said he was told by police of a note left by his sister's partner.
In the note, the man claimed he killed Ms Ramadan because he "didn't want her to suffer" from her medical conditions any longer.
Queensland Police could not confirm the presence of a note to Yahoo News Australia, as the deaths are still under investigation.
The family had visited Ms Ramadan from Melbourne in January and February, and didn't suspect anything was wrong at the time.
Alex described the man as a "gentleman", but said he had a "bit of an obsession" with his sister.
"There was nothing to suggest there was anything wrong," he said.
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
Police are urging anyone who saw anything suspicious at the Sapphire apartments complex in Labrador to contact Crime Stoppers.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, find help by visiting Lifeline or calling 1800 RESPECT.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
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