A man has been charged with murder after allegedly stabbing his partner to death and sparking an hour-long police 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 after concerned relatives asked police to carry out a welfare check.
The grim discovery sparked an urgent search for her partner, Kitchel Shillingsworth, 36, who was reportedly seen leaving the house earlier that morning in a white Toyota.
He allegedly led police on an hour-long chase, which included a Polair helicopter, which eventually ended when police used tyre spikes to stop his vehicle on Ipswich Boonah Road at Peak Crossing.
Shillingsworth has since been charged with murder (domestic violence) and dangerous driving of a motor vehicle and will appear at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Two crime scenes were established in connection with Ms Jensen’s death: one at Leichhardt’s home and one where Shillingsworth’s car was stopped.
Queensland police also searched Wyaralong Dam for a knife suspected of being used in the alleged attack.
Emergency services found Ms Jensen suffering from several serious stab wounds in what Acting Detective Superintendent Garry Watts described as “very traumatic” scenes.
The body of Kierra-Lea Jensen (pictured) was found at a home on Flinders Drive in Leichhardt, southwest of Brisbane, on Monday morning.
Ms Jensen’s partner, Kitchel Shillingsworth (pictured), is due to appear in court on Tuesday charged with murder and dangerous driving of a motor vehicle.
“I can assure members of the community that the Queensland Police Service takes (alleged) incidents of domestic and family violence very seriously,” Superintendent Watts said.
“We investigate such incidents to the best of our ability and take action when appropriate.”
“Our hearts go out to everyone involved in this tragedy, especially the victim’s family.”
Shillington’s vehicle was towed from the scene of his arrest for a forensic examination.
Superintendent Watts also revealed that police attended Leichhardt’s home last week but “no crime was detected” and no action was taken at the time.
Ms Jensen was the 49th Australian woman allegedly killed in a domestic violence incident in 2024.
Support is available through the National Sexual Assault and Domestic Family Violence Advice Service on 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Shillingsworth led police on an hours-long chase that only ended when police used tire spikes to stop his vehicle.
