A wheelchair-bound mother and her disabled son died in a horrific house fire decades after another family member was murdered.
Emergency services were called to Cypress Street in Woodridge, south of Brisbane, about 6pm on Sunday after receiving reports that 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 inside the home.
It is understood Ms Pierce was in a wheelchair and asked her neighbors for help after being trapped by the flames.
The house fire was another tragic blow to a family already grieving after Mrs. Pierce lost her two daughters, one to suicide and the other to murder.
Emergency services were called to Cypress Street in Woodridge, south Brisbane, about 6pm on Sunday after receiving reports that 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 a nearby bush. Gateway Bridge – An area known as ‘Rabbits Hill’.
Police discovered that the killer hit Cary-Jane in the back of the head with a rock and tied the strap of her duffel backpack around her neck.
Cary-Jane was 26 years old at the time and her murder remains unsolved.
Tributes have poured in for 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 with crime victims, dedicated much of her career to those in need.
“She was vibrant, bold and witty, a woman who loved her family and stood up for vulnerable people,” Ms Lane told the mail.
‘Carmel will be mourned by family, friends, former colleagues and many members of the community, including elected members of all three levels of government.
Mrs. 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 these last few years as he moved from Sydney to help her remain independent.”
Deputy Prime Minister Cameron Dick also paid a moving tribute to Mrs Pierce and her son, saying the fire had “shocked the entire community”.
“You had a son looking after his mother and the fact that they both lost their lives in these terrible circumstances… it’s just horrible… it’s heartbreaking,” Mr Dick said.
Dick added that he knew Mrs Pierce “quite well” and described her as someone who had “a great sense of humour”.
He said he was an energetic person until his health declined in recent years.
