Grieving loved ones have pleaded for help to pay for the funeral cost of a young woman chased down a street by two men and shot dead days out from Christmas.
The body of Chloe Jade Mason, 23, was discovered outside a property in Caboolture on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast shortly after midnight on Sunday.
Police believe the young woman was shot while being ‘assaulted by two male persons’, who remain on the run.
Ms Mason’s devastated sister launched a fundraiser on Sunday to share a heartbreaking message.
‘Chloe was chased down by 2 men and fatally shot on the 22nd of December 2024 in Brisbane,’ Hannah Mckone posted on Gofundme.
‘Chloe was only 23 years old.’
‘Being so close to Christmas her family has no savings or financial means to give her a funeral.
‘We are graciously asking for help and support in this. All funds donated will be directly utilised for Chloe’s funeral service.’
Another sister, Danni Mason, remembered the young woman as a ‘daughter, a sister, an aunt and a friend … who was loved by many’.
‘This loss has devastated our family and we struggle to come to terms with this so close to the holidays,’ she wrote.
‘As sisters we grieve for the things she won’t experience, all the things we aren’t able to share and the memories we won’t make. She was an incredible woman.’
Detectives have launched a manhunt for the two male suspects.
‘Early investigations indicate the deceased was assaulted by two male persons, who may have chased her down railway parade,’ Detective Inspector David Harbison said.
‘During that assault, the deceased received a gunshot wound. Whilst the public nature of this crime is alarming, police do not believe this to be a random attack.’
Neighbours told the ABC that they heard hearing several gunshots shortly before the woman’s body was found.
‘I heard about three or four gunshots and then a little bit of whimpering, and then I heard a man yelling out f****** c***,’ one recalled.
‘(It was) very scary.’
Another added: ‘We know everyone. We are like a little family. We look after everyone in the street.’
Police added that Ms Mason’s family are ‘devastated’.
‘It’s a tragedy to lose a young life in such a violent manner,’ he said.
The police have no suspects and have pleaded for anyone with any information to come forward.
‘There’s people out there who know who these people are. So, to them, do the right thing,’ Inspector Harbison said.
‘A young 23-year-old has lost her life in tragic circumstances, so do the right thing and come forward.’
Initial investigations are yet to uncover why Ms Mason was at the address because she did not reside at any nearby properties.
‘It doesn’t involve the actual property itself, we understand it occurred in the street and went onto the footpath of that property in question,’ Inspector Harbison said. Harbison said.
‘The actual property where it occurred isn’t involved in the actual investigation.’
The police declared a crime scene at the site and established Operation Whiskey Cortland with assistance from homicide detectives to investigate the case.