Varsity Lakes death: Family declares ‘unwavering love and support’ for alleged killer husband

The family of an elderly Gold Coast man who allegedly murdered his wife of more than 60 years has declared their support for their dad, who has been in ill health for years. The body of Robyn Beever was found in the garage of her Varsity Lakes home on Thursday afternoon with her husband Max Beever taken into police custody and charged with murder. Late Friday, Mr Beever’s lawyer Jonathan Nyst of Nyst Legal released a statement on behalf of the couple’s adult children, who have been left devastated by the horrific tragedy, but remain committed to their father, who remains in hospital and did not attend a brief court appearance on Friday. Meeting when they were just 20, the couple were together for more than 60 years before their loving union was this week shattered in the most horrific of circumstances. “They were devoted to each other and, in their later years, the primary concern of each of them very obviously was the welfare of the other,” the statement read. “Naturally, the family has been absolutely devastated by this entirely unexpected and deeply tragic turn of events, and in particular the awful loss of their mother. “But their greatest concern now is for their aged father, who is not in good health, and has not been for a number of years. “He has their unwavering love and support, and they are fully committed to his welfare. “They sincerely thank all those who have expressed their sympathy and support in this time of shock and grief, but ask that the press and the public now respect their privacy, to allow them to absorb and cope with the enormity of this unfolding tragedy.” Max Beever, 82, is “in a distressed state” in hospital as police continue to piece together what led to the shocking tragedy. Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn from Gold Coast Police said Beever had declined to be formally interviewed by police and was not required to appear in person during a brief mention of the case in Southport Magistrates Court on Friday morning. “He is certainly in a distressed state,” said Detective Inspector Ahearn. “He has denied being interviewed.” Police allege Beever used a belt, and possibly also an axe, to kill his wife. A family member is believed to have found the bloodied body of Mrs Beever, also 82, and her still-alive husband, on Thursday afternoon after arriving at their home to check on them. Police were confronted with a gruesome scene, with Mrs Beever - who is thought to have suffered from dementia - suffering horrific injuries. Mr Beever was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital after suffering a suspected drug overdose, sources said. Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn, of Gold Coast CIB, would not discuss the injuries or the crime scene but said the Homicide Squad had been called in. “It’s the early stages but obviously we are treating this death as suspicious,” he said. Det Insp Ahearn said police were not looking for a third party suspect as part of their investigation into the tragedy. “We’re not looking for anyone else at this stage,” he said, adding that Mr Beever ‘forms a critical part of our inquiry’. “He was located in the house ... when we’re able to speak with him, we’ll be doing that,” he said. He said detectives were canvassing neighbours and urged anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers. It’s understood there was no history of domestic violence with the couple, who had lived in their Gerona Circuit home for almost two decades. The couple’s small dog, believed to be called Foxy, was being cared for by shocked neighbours, who described the Beevers as friendly and seemingly happy. “(They were) a very friendly couple, always out in the front yard with their dog, in the garden,” neighbour Michael Sykes said. “We’d see them out in the front yard most days, talking to neighbours. They were very friendly, whole street’s very friendly. “Every time we walked the dog past, they’d always say hello, smile (and) wave - every time. “It’s (the tragedy) full on. It’s a quiet street.”