{"id":330893,"date":"2025-10-25T05:55:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-25T05:55:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/330893\/"},"modified":"2025-10-25T05:55:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-25T05:55:19","slug":"community-gathers-in-gladstone-for-woman-two-boys-allegedly-murdered-in-house-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/330893\/","title":{"rendered":"Community gathers in Gladstone for woman, two boys allegedly murdered in house fire"},"content":{"rendered":"

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story contains the names and images of people who have died, used with the permission of their family.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Queensland community is mourning a mother, son and his best friend who were allegedly murdered in an arson attack.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jordana Johnson, 36, her son Jordan Norris, 13 \u2014 both Goreng Goreng and South Sea Islander \u2014 and his friend Chazz Mather, 12, died in the Gladstone house fire on October 15.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Authorities were called to the Toolooa property just before 6am, but the top floor of the family home had collapsed and search efforts were hampered.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Police charged Toolooa woman Contessa Leigh Marie Richardson, 37, with three counts of murder and two counts of arson in Brisbane on Friday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Jordana Johnson (left), Jordan Norris (middle), and Chazz Mather (right) were deeply loved by their families and friends. (Supplied: Glenn Butcher)<\/p>\n

More than 1,000 people gathered\u00a0at Barney Point Beach on Saturday to pay tribute to Ms Johnson and the two boys with traditional dancing, a smoking ceremony, an ocean cleansing ceremony and a water blessing.<\/p>\n

That beach in Yallarm \u2014 the traditional name for Gladstone \u2014 is a special healing place for Gooreng Gooreng people.<\/p>\n

\"Smoking<\/p>\n

A smoking ceremony was performed at \u00a0Barney Point Beach on Saturday morning. (ABC News: Jasmine Hines)<\/p>\n

The local Maori community also performed the Haka in honour of Chazz, a member of the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gooreng Gooreng elder Aunty Juliri Ingra, Jordana’s cultural grandmother, said her family was “overwhelmed by the graciousness of the community”.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Juliri<\/p>\n

Juliri Ingra says Jordana’s family has been “overwhelmed by the graciousness of the community”. (ABC News: Jasmine Hines)<\/p>\n

“I just want to thank all the community of Gladstone, or Yallarm as we call it, for being here for us and our family as we mourn our loved ones,” she said.<\/p>\n

“Since it happened, I could see the love coming through from our community.”<\/p>\n

\"Gathering<\/p>\n

More than 1,000 people gathered\u00a0at Barney Point Beach on Saturday. (ABC News: Jasmine Hines)<\/p>\n

Aunty Juliri said Jordana was a “proud Gooreng Gooreng girl”.<\/p>\n

“We will never forget her as part of our family,” she said. “And Jordan and little Chazz.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“We are all connected up with the Maori community also. There is so much love going back and forth between us.”<\/p>\n

Helplines<\/p>\n