Emma Lovell, right, died after what police called a “fight” on her front porch in Queensland, Australia (Photo: SWNS/Nine)

A Briton was stabbed to death on Boxing Day while trying to protect her family from intruders.

Emma Lovell, 41, died of complications from a home invasion in Queensland, Australia.

Her husband Lee, 43, was seriously injured in the attack.

Queensland Police say the couple were stabbed to death after two intruders broke into their home and a “brawl” broke out on the front porch.

The family’s dogs had initially raised the alarm, Superintendent John Hallam told local media, and the entire community was said to be “in mourning”.

Emma had died from injuries sustained in the attack while husband Lee was being treated for a non-life-threatening stab wound.

He has since paid tribute to his wife, affirming that she “died to protect me and our family”.

Outside her home, Lee told reporters, “Emma was the glue for my family, she was such a beautiful person.

Emma Lovell and Emma's husband Lee Lovell. See SWNS story SWLStribute. The best friend of a British mother of two who was stabbed to death in her home in Australia has paid tribute to her, describing her as

Emma Lovell and husband Lee were woken up by dogs barking (Image: Christina Lofthouse/SWNS)

“We’re all devastated by her loss, it’s pointless.”

Two 17-year-old men were charged with murder, attempted murder and trespassing.

Emma and Lee moved to Australia from Ipswich, Suffolk, eleven years ago with their two daughters.

Lovers have now paid tribute to “the best friend a girl can have”.

Christina Lofthouse (left) and Emma Lovell (right). See SWNS story SWLStribute. The best friend of a British mother of two who was stabbed to death in her home in Australia has paid tribute to her, describing her as

Christina Lofthouse (left) paid tribute to Emma Lovell (right), who was ‘the best friend a girl can have’
(Photo: Christina Lofthouse/SWNS)

Christina Lofthouse, 41, Emma’s best friend of 33 years, said: “She was the first person I texted in the morning and the last person I spoke to at night.

“I am devastated that my best friend passed away and I can no longer talk to her, hug her, laugh with her and cry with her.

“Your poor daughters, husband, mother, brother and sister. As a family we are heartbroken to lose the best friend a girl could have. We had a friendship like no other.’

Despite the distance, Christina said the two were “always together in their minds.”

She added: “She truly had a heart of gold and helped me and my family through some of our darkest days.”

Martyn McIntee, 42, was also one of Emma’s close friends and also planned to visit her in Queensland in February.

He said, “Emma was the most amazing person in the world. We were inseparable in high school.

“When we were younger, we had an agreement that if we didn’t get married before we turned 40, we would marry each other.

“I will miss her so much. I can’t even imagine the pain her mother, brothers, Lee and girls are going through.”

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