The sister of a young mother, Jana Armstrong, who was allegedly murdered by her former partner, has pledged to raise her sibling's four-month-old baby. Faith Isaacs is taking on this responsibility just months after experiencing the loss of her own infant daughter.
Armstrong, 30, was last seen at a residence in Newtown, a suburb of Toowoomba, Queensland, on Tuesday. Her vehicle was discovered abandoned in the middle of a road in the early hours of Wednesday morning, prompting a search that concluded Saturday night when her body was found by pig hunters.
Dharminder Singh, 48, Armstrong's former partner, was arrested Sunday morning and subsequently charged with one count of murder, classified as a domestic violence offense. He is scheduled to appear in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday.
Isaacs described the profound grief of losing her sister, particularly after her own daughter, Lehara, died in May following complications during birth. "She's taking care of my daughter and I'm now taking care of her son and I'll raise him just the way she would have wanted me to," Isaacs told Seven News. She also shared her immediate premonition after her sister's disappearance, stating, "I knew within four hours of her going missing that she was no longer with us."
Isaacs was among the last people to see her sister alive when they met for brunch on Tuesday. She had harbored suspicions that Armstrong had not left voluntarily and expressed relief at Singh's arrest, saying, "I just don't want him to have another day of freedom."
Investigation and Arrest
Police allege that Armstrong was killed between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning. Investigators believe Singh used Armstrong's Hyundai Kona to transport and dispose of her body. They are seeking dashcam or CCTV footage from the area between Toowoomba and Esk, along Esk Hampton Rd and the New England Highway, captured between 10:30 p.m. on July 7 and 1:30 a.m. on July 8.
Darling Downs Acting Detective Inspector Brian Collins stated that there were no prior domestic violence orders in place before Armstrong's death. "People in the community would be horrified that a young lady, a 30-year-old with a four-month-old child, has had her life (allegedly) taken - and rightfully so," Collins remarked. He confirmed that Singh had been questioned by police as a witness during the initial search for Armstrong but was released without charge at that time. A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the official cause of death.
Loved ones, including cousins Lara and Hannah Sweedman, visited the site where Armstrong's body was discovered. "We are shattered, we are heartbroken, but we are really grateful we get to bring our beautiful cousin Jana home so we can lay her to rest in the way she deserves," Lara said. Hannah added, "The support from Toowoomba and the whole of the community, the whole of Australia, has been phenomenal. Now we just have to hope that the justice system takes its course."
