In a deeply distressing case that has shaken the community of Springfield Lakes, Queensland, two men — the husband and brother-in-law of 29-year-old Mujhda Habibi — have been charged with her murder following her tragic death in February 2024. The incident, which police have described as an act of domestic violence, has sparked public outrage and renewed conversations about coercive control and the safety of women in Australia.
What Happened?
On February 5, 2024, emergency services were called to a home on The Promenade in Springfield Lakes, a quiet suburban neighborhood, after reports of an unresponsive woman. Upon arrival, paramedics found Mujhda Habibi with severe injuries. Despite efforts to revive her, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body showed signs of significant blunt-force trauma, which investigators later attributed to a violent assault.
Initially, the circumstances surrounding her death were unclear. However, after a months-long investigation, Queensland Police arrested two men in connection with the murder: her husband, 29-year-old Mujahid Habibi, and his younger brother, 21-year-old Ameen Habibi. Both men were taken into custody on May 27, 2025, and charged with one count of murder.
Trapped in a Coercive Marriage
Close friends and family of Mujhda Habibi have since come forward, shedding light on the difficult and oppressive life she reportedly endured behind closed doors. According to sources, Mujhda had been seeking a divorce from her husband for more than a year before her death. However, cultural and familial pressures made it difficult for her to leave the marriage.
“Mujhda was a kind and loving person, but she was also scared,” said one family member. “She wanted to leave, but she knew that doing so would bring shame and danger — not just to her, but to her family.”
Reports suggest that Mujhda was subjected to coercive control, a form of domestic abuse characterized by manipulation, isolation, and psychological intimidation. Although she had confided in friends about her unhappiness, she reportedly felt powerless to escape her situation.
Queensland Police released a formal statement confirming that both accused men are in custody and are expected to face court proceedings in the coming weeks. “This was a calculated and violent attack on a young woman who had the rest of her life ahead of her,” said Detective Inspector Heath McQueen. “Our investigation has uncovered evidence indicating that this was not an isolated incident but rather the culmination of prolonged domestic abuse.”
Both men have been denied bail and are currently being held at a correctional facility in Brisbane. They are due to appear in the Ipswich Magistrates Court in early June.
News of Mujhda’s death and the circumstances surrounding it have left the Springfield Lakes community in mourning. Candlelight vigils have been held in her honor, with local leaders and women’s rights advocates calling for stronger protections for victims of domestic violence.
“This tragedy is a stark reminder that coercive control can be just as dangerous as physical abuse,” said Lisa Ryan, spokesperson for Women’s Legal Service Queensland. “We must do more to educate communities, support victims, and ensure that early warning signs are taken seriously.”
The case has also drawn attention to the specific challenges faced by women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Mujhda, believed to be of Afghan heritage, reportedly faced immense cultural pressure to remain in her marriage, despite the abuse she endured.
“In many cultures, women are expected to stay silent, to suffer in silence for the sake of family honor,” said Professor Nasreen Ali, a sociologist specializing in gender and migration. “When those women seek help, they often find that the legal and social systems are not equipped to support them effectively.”
In response to the case, several politicians have called for legislative reform to make coercive control a criminal offense under Queensland law — a step that New South Wales has already taken. Currently, emotional abuse and coercive behavior can be considered as part of domestic violence cases, but they are not independently punishable.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said in a press conference: “No woman should fear for her life simply because she wants to be free. We are committed to reviewing our domestic violence legislation to ensure that it reflects the realities faced by victims like Mujhda Habibi.”
As the investigation continues and the court process unfolds, Mujhda’s family and supporters hope that her story will serve as a wake-up call for action and awareness. Her death is a chilling reminder that domestic violence does not always look the way people expect — and that it can have fatal consequences when ignored or minimized.
“This shouldn’t have happened,” said her cousin through tears. “She tried to live her life with dignity. She didn’t deserve this.”
