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Boy, 16, charged with murder; four other teens arrested over fatal stabbing

A teenager has been charged with murder after a 70-year-old woman was stabbed to death in front of her granddaughter outside a Queensland shopping centre.

Feb 06, 2024, updated Feb 06, 2024
Grandmother Vyleen White. (Image: Supplied)

Grandmother Vyleen White. (Image: Supplied)

The 16-year-old boy is set to appear in an Ipswich court on Tuesday following the fatal stabbing of grandmother Vyleen White.

Ms White had been shopping on Saturday with her six-year-old granddaughter at Town Square Redbank Plains shopping centre, west of Brisbane, when she was stabbed in the chest in the centre’s car park.

She died at the scene a short time later. The girl was unharmed.

Police believe the motive for the stabbing was to steal Ms White’s vehicle, a Hyundai Getz.

The 16-year-old was also charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and three counts of stealing.

Police arrested the teen at a unit complex in Bellbird Park, located near Redbank Plains, about 2.45pm on Monday.

Five boys were charged after the fatal stabbing that has shocked the Redbank Plains community.

Another three boys were arrested on Monday – a 15-year-old and two aged 16.

They were all charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and are set to appear in court on Tuesday.

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Another 15-year-old had already been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and faced an Ipswich court on Monday.

Police described the fatal stabbing as a “callous, cowardly, violent crime” on a loving, family woman.

Floral tributes for Ms White have been left at the shopping centre while supporters have organised a GoFundMe page.

It had raised more than $16,000 for Ms White’s family by Tuesday morning.

Detectives had earlier released CCTV footage of four youths in a Hyundai Getz, allegedly stolen from Ms White.

“Sadly the motive was to steal a Hyundai Getz,” Detective Acting Superintendent Heath McQueen told reporters on Monday.

Ipswich Mayor Theresa Harding described the attack as a “punch in the guts” to shocked locals.

Authorities said a mobile police beat van would remain outside Redbank Plains shopping centre for weeks to reassure community safety.

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