A five-year-old boy who was orphaned by a murder-suicide in Perth has received an outpouring of love and support from community members who have rallied to raise funds for the child.
An online fundraiser set up for the little boy, who will now be raised by his grandmother, had collected more than $43,000 in the first 13 hours of it going live – with donations still climbing.
The boy’s parents died when his father, 33 shot dead his mother, 32, then took his own life on Thursday.
Luke Noormets, a former Rebels bikie nominee, drove to his ex-girlfriend Georgia Lyall’s home in South Guildford, Perth, and shot her in the head at around 10.40am.
He then called the emergency services informing them of the shooting before driving to his home and setting it on fire.
He is believed to have shot himself, with emergency services discovering his body at around 11.30am.
Noormets was seen fleeing Ms Lyall’s home on a motorcycle about the time of the incident.
He suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head with the weapon found nearby, The West Australian reports.
“Our Georgia was selfishly and devastatingly murdered in her own home and those close to her are now faced with the crushing reality that life will never be the same again,” the fundraiser page for Ms Lyall’s son reads.
“Georgia leaves behind her beautiful, vivacious and loving 5 year old son who is now in the care of Georgias wonderful mother Robyn. Georgia was an extremely dedicated mum who was doing an amazing job raising him on her own.
“Any money that you can spare will be put towards the funeral for Georgia and to help support Robyn and her family during this incredibly stressful and sad time.”
Det-Insp. Dave Gorton said in a press conference on Thursday that the two people involved in the shocking incident had previously been in a relationship.
He said there had been no history of police involvement with the pair and the “fairly unusual” case was “certainly devastating for both families”.
“Every murder is tragic, and it’s unfortunate that these things incidents do occur in our community,” he said.
“Especially for the first responders and investigators and the other emergency services that do attend, it can be quite a devastating situation to come across.”
Noormets was on parole when he carried out the fatal killing of his ex-partner.
He was jailed for seven years in 2019 after he kidnapped and tortured drug-dealer Jack Tonta, who was also Ms Lyall’s ex boyfriend.
Tonta had failed to deliver an “eight-ball” of meth to Noormets.
As punishment, Noormets bashed Tonta before dousing him in petrol, setting him on fire and waterboarding him for 13 hours.
At the time of Tonta’s kidnap and torture, Ms Lyall was also “Facebook friends” with him, and the pair shared mutual friends.
Ms Lyall’s death and Noormets suicide has sent shockwaves across the country.
The young mum has been described as a “beautiful friend” and “wonderful mother”.
On Friday Ms Lyall’s former boss at construction company BGC paid tribute to her and said she was an “exceptional legal professional”.
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In a statement BGC chief executive Daniel Cooper said: “We are all deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our much-loved friend and colleague Georgia.
“Georgia was a beautiful person as well an exceptional legal professional who will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of working alongside her.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
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