A Heartbreaking Loss and Community Outpouring
The tragic death of Zdravko Bilic, a 57-year-old man found stabbed in front of his home on the Sunshine Coast, has left his family, friends, and community in shock. His wife, Gry Susann Tomte, shared a deeply emotional tribute to her late husband, expressing the overwhelming grief she feels after losing the love of her life.
Mr Bilic was discovered unresponsive by a neighbor at approximately 7:35 pm on Monday outside his Napalle St home in Warana. He had suffered two stab wounds to his abdomen. The incident has led to a police investigation, with two teenagers now charged with his murder. A 15-year-old from West Woombye and a 17-year-old from Beerwah have been charged and are scheduled to appear in the Maroochydore Children’s Court on Thursday.
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A Community in Mourning
Detective Inspector Chris Toohey confirmed that Mr Bilic was alone at home when the incident occurred. His wife, who is a skincare entrepreneur, was away on a business trip and raised the alarm after not hearing from him for some time. She contacted a neighbor, who then made the emergency call.
Police are examining multiple lines of inquiry, including whether Mr Bilic’s body had been lying in front of the house for several hours before being discovered. They are focusing their attention on the window between 11 pm on Sunday and 7:30 pm on Monday.
Mr Bilic and Ms Tomte purchased their home on the Sunshine Coast for $2.5 million in December 2021 and moved in during March 2022. Mr Bilic had announced the move on social media, expressing excitement about starting a new chapter in their lives. “There is a new chapter in our life and it starts with a move to the Sunshine Coast,” he wrote. “Definitely will miss the day to day Melbourne way … but we are super excited with our new adventure.”
A Life Well-Loved
Inspector Toohey described Mr Bilic as a “valued member of the community” and noted that his death has shocked neighbors. “He is a community-minded person that was well-loved in the area,” he said.
Ms Tomte, originally from Norway, is the co-founder of HUD Skin and Body, a skincare company based in Melbourne. She spoke of her husband as the “kindest, gentlest person I’ve ever known.” “Loved by everyone who ever had the fortune of meeting him,” she said.
Mr Bilic, known to friends as “Zed,” was an avid soccer fan. He played for the Real Social Dad Sixes and Nyblad over 50s at the Sunshine Coast Supa Oldies after moving from Melbourne to Queensland. His teammates paid tribute to him, describing him as an “absolute gentleman” and a “very good player.”
“Off the park Zed was an absolute gentleman and was always willing to help out with anything we needed done for set up,” they said. Friends and teammates have also shared heartfelt messages online, highlighting his positive impact on those around him.
“You couldn’t not like him. His smile and his sparkly eyes made you comfortable the minute you met him,” one friend wrote. Another described his death as “absolutely devastating” and called him a “beautiful man with a smile and presence that would light up a room.”
A Safe Community Shaken
Inspector Toohey emphasized that the Sunshine Coast is a “very safe community.” Warana, where Mr Bilic lived, is known for its upscale homes and beautiful beaches. “We pride ourselves on having, trying to maintain a safer environment for all our residents and of course being a tourist destination – we also like for people coming to visit to feel safe,” he said.
The tragedy has prompted increased vigilance among residents and authorities. “So (Mr Bilic’s death) is a shock. It makes us more vigilant to maintain that level of safety and make sure that we hold the (alleged) offenders to account,” Inspector Toohey added.
As the community mourns, the loss of Zdravko Bilic serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of unity in times of hardship. His memory will live on through the countless lives he touched, both on and off the soccer field.
