Brisbane university student accused of her mother’s murder to undergo mental health assessment

A Brisbane university student accused of bludgeoning her Macedonian mother to death is “distraught” and will undergo a mental health assessment.

Simona Zafirovska, 20, was yesterday charged with murdering her 54-year-old mother, Radica, who worked as a cleaner at the Supreme and District Courts in Brisbane.

The elder Ms Zafirovska’s bloodied body was found at her home at The Gap on October 28, after her daughter raised the alarm.

She had allegedly been beaten 20 times with a wooden paling that police later found in her daughter’s wardrobe.

Prosecutors will allege Ms Zafirovska wanted to free herself from her mother’s strict Macedonian parenting.

It is understood she had a boyfriend in Macedonia and was due to fly out on the afternoon her mother was found.

The 20-year-old did not appear when her case went before the Brisbane Magistrates Court today and remains in police custody.

Her lawyer Neil Lawler told reporters outside court the accused was "distraught" and would undergo a mental health assessment.

“I’ve had a mental health nurse see her this morning, and we will get a thorough mental health assessment done in the next few days,” he said.

“She is distraught, she has no friends or family here now and very little support in the community.”

Mr Lawler said Ms Zafirovska, who was studying at university and also worked as a cleaner, would likely make an application for bail at a later date.

The case was adjourned to November 28.