Dramatic arrest after woman’s body found in Ipswich home

Police have charged a 36-year-old man with murder after the body of a woman with multiple stab wounds was found in Ipswich on Monday morning.

Twenty-eight-year-old Kierra-Lea Jensen was found dead at a property on Flinders Drive in the Ipswich suburb of Leichhardt about 9.15am, after police were called to do a welfare check by a concerned relative.

Police deployed the Polair helicopter to track down Jensen’s de-facto partner, Kitchel Shillingsworth, who was travelling in a Toyota sedan.

An hour later, police used tyre spikes to stop the Toyota on Ipswich Boonah Road at Peak Crossing and arrested Shillingsworth.

“The vehicle has been towed for forensic examination,” police said in a statement.

A second crime scene was declared where the vehicle was located, while police conducted a search of the Wyaralong Dam area for a knife.

Detective Acting Superintendent Garry Watts described the scene as “very traumatic” for first responders and offered his condolences to the family of the victim.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday afternoon, Watts told reporters police had attended the address in the last week, but “no offences were detected” at that time.

Shillingsworth has been charged with murder (domestic violence offence) and dangerous operation of a vehicle and remains in police custody.

“I can assure members of the community that the Queensland Police Service takes [alleged] incidents of domestic and family violence very seriously,” Watts said.

“And we investigate those incidents as best we can and take action where appropriate.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or Policelink.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or the No to Violence Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.