UPDATE: A shocking and tragic incident unfolded in Melbourne on August 3, 2023, as Mark Ludbrook, who was found naked, fatally stabbed his friend Autumn Baker. In a disturbing testimony presented in the Victorian Supreme Court, the jury learned of Ludbrook’s erratic behavior leading up to the attack, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness around mental health and substance use.
Just hours before the attack, Ludbrook, who is confined to a wheelchair due to a neurological condition, exhibited alarming behavior. His in-home carer, Amber Davison, testified that he requested a $50 note and began thanking various colors, except for grey, insisting he needed to “save the animals.” This bizarre incident escalated as he urged her to sleep with him, claiming it was necessary for the animals’ safety.
At around 8:30 AM, Davison arrived at Ludbrook’s home to find him behaving unusually. After an exchange of a $50 note, he insisted on being in the dark, calling for her to turn off the lights. Davison described feeling shocked as Ludbrook stripped down and walked around naked in his backyard.
Ludbrook, who had been moving in and out of the house for approximately 90 minutes, continued to act erratically until Baker arrived for a welfare check after failing to reach him earlier that morning. The situation took a tragic turn when Ludbrook retrieved a steak knife from the kitchen, leading to a frantic struggle. As Baker and Davison attempted to intervene, Ludbrook began stabbing himself.
“I heard her scream. She sounded terrified and was calling out for me not to leave her,” Davison recalled, visibly shaken. Baker succumbed to multiple stab wounds, including two to her chest, with emergency services unable to save her.
The court is now faced with the difficult task of determining Ludbrook’s mental state during the incident. He has pleaded not guilty to murder, asserting that his judgment was impaired due to the illicit drug PCE. The trial, presided over by Justice John Champion, continues as the jury weighs the evidence presented.
This tragic case highlights the urgent need for mental health support and awareness surrounding the impact of substance abuse. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out to Lifeline at 13 11 14 or beyondblue at 1300 22 4636 for immediate support.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
