Fashion boss dead, boy charged with murder
Source: AAP
Police are speaking to distressed teenagers after a man was fatally stabbed at a house party packed with dozens of young people.
Police have charged a 15-year-old boy with murder after the body of 58-year-old fashion founder Greg Josephson was found inside a large home in the upmarket Brisbane suburb of Clayfield on Thursday night.
Josephson and his brother Michael founded youth fashion chain Universal Store in 1999, and sold it for a reported $100 million in 2018.
Universal Store is one of Australia’s biggest fashion chains, with more than 80 outlets across the country.
Queensland Police believe the teenager was known to Josephson.
They said officers responded to a call about 8.15pm on Thursday, arriving at the house to find a party with “around 30” teenagers there.
“I can confirm that there was a party underway at the house with a number of young persons,” Detective Acting Superintendent Craig Williams said on Friday.
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Most of the teenagers at the party were unaware of what had occurred before officers discovered Josephson’s body inside the home, police said.
“It was a confusing situation because it was a party,” acting Detective Superintendent Craig Williams said on Friday.
“It was confusing until all persons present sort of understood what was going on and why police were there.”
The 15-year-old was found on a nearby street, police allege.
“At this stage the initial investigation indicates that no other persons were involved other than the 15-year-old boy,” Williams said.
He confirmed police had also found the weapon.
The boy was taken into custody, and later to hospital.
Some of the other teenagers who were at the party are assisting police.
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“No others were taken into custody,” Williams said.
“A number of the teens who were at the address are assisting with inquiries and were brought back to stations to have their parents contacted.
“It’s distressing for the family. It’s distressing for the community and for … innocent people who are at the house who have nothing to do with it, so all possible supports being offered to those people.”
Acting Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman said there was “some sort of altercation” before Josephson was found dead.
“The investigation unfolded very quickly last night,” he told ABC Radio.
The teenage boy was charged with one count of domestic violence-related murder and refused police bail.
His case was mentioned in a children’s court on Friday and adjourned until September 2.
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-with AAP
