A tight-knit community is in shock after two teenagers were charged with the murder of a beloved husband during an alleged bungled break-in attempt.
Zdravko Bilic, 57, was found dead with stab wounds at his beachside home at Warana by a neighbour.
Two boys – aged 15 and 17 – have been charged with murder, with their matters appearing in a Maroochydore court on Thursday.
If convicted, they will serve mandatory life sentences under the Queensland government’s controversial “adult crime, adult time” laws.
Mr Bilic’s death has shattered the quiet suburb, which has rallied around his wife, multimillion-dollar skincare business founder Gry Tomte.
Police on Thursday said Mr Bilic was stabbed twice in an altercation with the two boys after they allegedly entered the beachside home about 11.30pm on Sunday.
Ms Tomte was not home at the time and had asked a neighbour to check on her husband after she had not heard from him.
Mr Bilic – a popular community member who worked as a junior soccer coach – was found dead in his yard by the neighbour about 7.30pm on Monday.
Floral tributes have been laid outside the home.
Annabelle Brett had recently moved to the Sunshine Coast community from north Queensland and said the incident had left everyone in shock.
“I didn’t think that this happened in places like the Sunshine Coast in general, let alone a suburb like Warana,” she told AAP.
“It is very family friendly, quiet and coastal. There’s a lot of people that have retired and moved here for a more calm, quiet and safe life.”
Ms Tomte on Thursday led tributes for her husband, who was described as “the whole street’s favourite person”.
She said Mr Bilic had also been a “super hero” to the kids he worked with as a junior soccer coach at Sunshine Coast childcare centres.
“He was loved by more people that I can put into words,” she said in a statement released via Queensland Police.
“If you’ve had the privilege of being in Zed’s presence, you’ll know that he was literal sunshine.
“And the world is a little less bright without him in it.”
Ms Tomte had earlier expressed her grief over losing “the most beautiful man” on social media, posting: “My world for 28 years …he was my everything.”
Police said Mr Bilic was clearly a beloved community member, with locals offering “as much help as they can” to their investigation.
“They visit each other’s houses, they have Christmas street parties,” Detective Inspector Chris Toohey said on Thursday.
“They really are shocked but really want to help.”
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli passed on his condolences, saying no family should have to experience such pain.
His Liberal National government ushered in tough youth justice laws after winning the 2024 election, ensuring juveniles face adult sentences for more than 30 offences.
The 17-year-old, from Beerwah, was arrested as he got off a bus that had arrived in Toowoomba from Brisbane. The 15-year-old, from West Woombye, was arrested in Chermside.
Detectives allege they have located the murder weapon, sending it for forensic testing.
The boys have also been charged with a number of break and enter offences, police said.
One of the teenagers is under his grandmother’s guardianship with both his parents in jail, the Maroochydore Children’s Court was told.
The other teen has been under the long-term guardianship of Department of Child Safety.
They have been remanded in custody for a Maroochydore committal mention on September 10.
