Child’s heartbreak after grandma murdered
Blake Antrobus
6 min read
A young girl has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her grandmother after she was stabbed to death by a “towering” teen thug in an underground carpark.
Vyleen White, 70, was fatally stabbed in the underground carpark of Town Square Redbank Plains Shopping Centre on February 3, 2024 during a carjacking attempt.
The attack occurred in front of Ms White’s infant granddaughter.
Earlier this year, the teen – then 16 – pleaded guilty to a single charge of murder and other charges of stealing and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
On Wednesday, Ms White’s family – including her widower Victor and the couple’s three daughters – stared down the teen during a sentencing hearing at Brisbane Supreme Court.
The young child who witnessed Ms White’s murder said she felt “scared and unsafe” and she felt “very worried” about her parents going to court.
“She wasn’t just my nanny, she was my friend,” crown prosecutor Chris Cook said.
“Sometimes I worry about falling asleep.
“I feel like mum and dad are a lot more protective now. I didn’t get hurt that time, but I feel scared.”
The court was told the teen and his associates were hanging around the Redbank Plains shopping centre on the day of the offence.
Crown prosecutor Chris Cook said they were drinking vodka when the teen left and attended a grocery store, stealing some items.
He then returned to the group and later attended McDonalds, taking a bottle of water and fleeing.
Mr Cook said half-an-hour later, the same teen took four bottles of vodka from a Liquorland store.
The court was told the group went to a vacant house at Redbank Plains Rd behind the McDonalds where they continued drinking for several hours.
Mr Cook said the teen who committed the murder had covered his face and changed clothing when he left the property and went to the Redbank Plains shopping centre.
“The genesis of the murder is important … there is some attempt to avoid detection,” Mr Cook said.
“This was more than just a moment of madness. This is a man, armed and disguised, going in with the attempt to steal a car.”
Ms White arrived at the centre about 6pm in her blue Hyundai Getz.
Mr Cook said the teen moved quickly to Ms White as she left her car, demanding the keys, before stabbing her.
Mr Cook said there was a “lack of hesitation” in the teen’s act and described it as a “particularly heinous” offence.
“This was a man who knew what he was doing,” he said.
“He is not a man who has forgotten about this act.”
At 6.45pm, the teen and his group were captured on surveillance cameras along Greenleaf Ave in Springfield Lakes – about 15 minutes from where Ms White was stabbed.
Mr Cook said the same teenager made a phone call that night, speaking in Arabic and referencing the knife.
Ms White’s granddaughter sought the help of shoppers and a doctor, but emergency services were unable to resuscitate her.
The teenager was arrested by police a day later.
When interviewed, he claimed to not recall the events – something Mr Cook said was “dishonesty” and was not accepted by the Crown.
He drew attention to the teen’s “towering” figure and the fact the teen was on bail for unrelated armed robberies at the time.
Multiple victim impact statements were tendered to Chief Justice Helen Bowskill.
In his statement, Victor White said the loss of Vyleen, his partner of 50 years, was “constant” and accelerated the deterioration of his eyesight – saying he felt the injustices of what had occurred.
“I will live with the daily absence of her … you didn’t just take away my sight, you took away any vision of the future,” Mr Cook read from the statement.
“I can’t escape from the reminders. Every day I hear another person is murdered.
“I live with the knowledge my life will never be the same.
“This crime has left me and my family broken in ways words can never fully capture.”
Cindy Micallef, Ms White’s daughter, revealed the struggle of “the worst nightmare she could imagine”.
She described Vyleen as a “champion” who was one of her “dearest friends” and lamented she could not “take her mother’s place”.
“Brokenness, loneliness, heartache, anger … my beautiful daughters have been robbed of their grandmother,” Mr Cook read from Ms Micallef’s statement.
“Her absence has left a hole in our family that can never be replaced.”
Ms White’s daughter Denise addressed the court about losing her “anchor” and how her life had changed dramatically as a result.
“I feel lifeless, my memory feels broken, I shake uncontrollably at times,” she sobbed.
“I still have brief moments where I always forget and try to talk to her – only to be brutally reminded she is not here.”
Denise revealed her hobbies and passions now felt “meaningless” after her mother’s death.
“I have lost my sense of stability, faith and hope,” she said.
Ms White’s death sparked outrage over youth crime in Queensland and led to reforms of the state’s justice system.
Part of this included new laws allowing courts to sentence youths as adults on some offences, which were passed by the newly elected LNP government.
Barrister Matthew Hynes described the teen as “stoic” – something he learned from his father growing up.
He submitted this was the explanation for his client reluctance to engage with support services in custody.
Mr Hynes said the teen still had the support of his family despite the “disgrace” he had inflicted.
He submitted there was “no significant callousness” in the current offending, compared to other cases.
The teen’s sudden move to Queensland with his family created difficulties for him to fit in at school.
He intended to go to a party that night but succumbed to “peer pressure” when he began drinking with his associates.
Mr Hyne said the teen had engaged in programs like anger management and had demonstrated “foresight” – indicating he wanted to get into electrician work.
“All of the things he has been doing in custody … (show) he has rehabilitative prospects,” Mr Hyne said.
Justice Bowskill will sentence the teen on Thursday.
Up next
11yo boys charged over devastating bushfire
Emma Kirk
Sat 6 December 2025 at 8:19 am GMT+7
3 min read
Two boys have been charged over a devastating bushfire that tore through a coastal community destroying one home and damaging property this week.
Police allege two 11-year-old boys lit the fire in the Geraldton suburb of Spalding on WA’s Mid West Coast on November 28.
The fire spread into bushland and was extinguished by firefighters, but reignited on Sunday due to weather conditions.
The fire was fuelled by strong and swirly, easterly wind gusts up to 80km/h from about 5.20am on Monday, endangering lives and hundreds of properties in the city’s northern suburbs.
Residents fled their homes, schools closed and thousands were without power as the “dangerous” bushfire burned dangerously close to houses.
A police spokesman said four juveniles were identified during their investigation into the suspicious blaze.
The spokesman said two 11-year-olds were referred to the Juvenile Justice Team charged with Breach of Duty.
“Lighting fires is extremely dangerous and can put lives and property at risk,” a spokesman said.
“Thank you to the Department of Fire and Emergency (DFES) crews and local volunteers for their quick response in keeping the Geraldton community safe.
“Investigators would also like to thank the community of Geraldton for assisting and providing valuable information which supported this investigation.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Nic Morgan and Lyn Bartlett who lost their home in the devastating bushfire.
Family member Allee Bartlett said the couple were returning from medical appointments in Perth when they came home to find their world turned upside down.
“Devastatingly, they have lost absolutely everything. They left their home with only the clothes on their backs and the items they took to Perth,” she said.
“Most heartbreaking of all, they returned to find that their beloved pet cat Smudge did not survive the fire. This loss has left them shattered.”
Goodstart Early Learning Wonthella also created a fundraiser for their staff member Gail and her daughter whose home was severely damaged in the fire.
“In a single night, their world changed — they lost precious belongings, their stability, and the sense of safety every family deserves,” a spokesman said.
“Every donation — no matter the size — will go directly toward replacing essential items, securing safe accommodation, and helping Gail and Harper begin the long journey of restoring their home and their lives.”
Police urged anyone who saw suspicious behaviour or has information about bushfires to contact Crime Stoppers.
Rewards of up to $25,000 are available for information that leads to the identification and conviction of an arsonist.
