A man has been charged with murder after allegedly stabbing his partner to death, leading police on an hour-long chase.
Kierra-Lea Jensen, 28, a mother of two, was found with multiple stab wounds at a home on Flinders Drive in the Ipswich suburb of Leichhardt, southwest of Brisbane, on Monday morning. Concerned family members had asked police to conduct a welfare check.
The gruesome discovery sparked an urgent search for her partner Kitchel Shillingsworth, 36, who reportedly left the house earlier that morning in a white Toyota.
He reportedly led police on an hour-long chase, which also included the deployment of a Polair helicopter. The chase eventually ended when police stopped his vehicle with tire studs on Ipswich Boonah Road at Peak Crossing.
Shillingsworth has since been charged with murder (domestic violence) and dangerous driving with a motor vehicle and will appear at Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday.
Two crime scenes were established in connection with Mrs. Jensen’s death: one at the Leichhardt home and one where Shillingsworth’s car was stopped.
Queensland police also searched the Wyaralong Dam in search of a knife believed to have been used in the alleged attack.
Emergency services found Mrs Jensen with multiple serious stab wounds. Deputy Detective Garry Watts described the situation as ‘very traumatic’.
The body of Kierra-Lea Jensen (pictured) was found on Monday morning at a house on Flinders Drive in Leichhardt, southwest of Brisbane
Ms Jensen’s partner, Kitchel Shillingsworth (pictured), will appear in court on Tuesday charged with murder and dangerous driving with a motor vehicle.
“I can assure members of the community that the Queensland Police Service [alleged] “Incidents of domestic and family violence are considered very serious,” said Director Watts.
“And we investigate those incidents to the best of our ability and take action where necessary.”
“Our condolences go out to everyone involved in this tragedy, especially the family of the victim.”
Shillington’s vehicle was towed from the scene of his arrest for forensic examination.
Detective Chief Inspector Watts also revealed that police visited the Leichhardts’ home last week but “no offences were observed” and no action was taken at the time.
Ms Jensen was the 49th Australian woman believed to have been killed in a domestic violence incident in 2024.
Support is available through the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Shillingsworth led police on an hour-long chase that ended only when police stopped his vehicle with tire spikes
