How a nurse allegedly murdered by her ex-husband lost her first son at three weeks and then miscarried twins - as brother vows to help raise her 'miracle kids' who 'watched her die'

Mother-of-three Karen Gilliland, 42, was stabbed multiple times at her home in Rockhampton in central Queensland on Tuesday night.

Chilling screams filled the street as Ms Gilliland's two daughters ran from the house, prompting neighbours to phone police around 7pm.

On Thursday Nigel Gilliland, 45, was charged with her murder after receiving surgery to self-inflicted knife wounds at the same hospital where she worked.

Bryan Cranston, Ms Gilliland's brother, has set up a Go Fund Me page for his sister's son and two daughters, the youngest just six. 

Paying tribute to his beloved sister in the campaign, he revealed all she had 'ever wanted in life was to be a mum', but it had not been an 'easy road'.

'In 2004, after four years of marriage, she gave birth to her first son Thomas, who passed away after three weeks and two days, having spent his entire life in intensive care due to a number of serious birth issues,' Mr Cranston wrote. 

'Karen then miscarried twins. We thought she would never bear the children she desperately wanted.'

Then, in 2006 her son Saul arrived, and he was followed by Lara two years later and Jade in 2014.'

Mr Cranston said his sister was an amazing mother and her children were her world, as he vowed to help raise her three children.

'Karen loved these children more than anything in this world. Our hearts break as we think of the journey ahead for them, navigating life without their amazing mother.'

'Rest assured, they are safe in the loving arms of our family and we will do everything we can to give them the guidance and support that Karen would have wanted.' 

'She always had this great personality but it was a front,' he said.

'That is a message that she would want to be taken from all of this - ask for help, it's not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength.'  

In the weeks leading up to her tragic death, Ms Gilliland worked on the COVID-19 frontline as pathology manager of Rockhampton Hospital, treating infected patients. 

Hundreds of people  joined a virtual vigil for Ms Gilliland, held on the banks of Rockhampton's Fitzroy River on Sunday night and streamed online. 

Speaking at the candlelight event, Mr Cranston said he hopes the horrific death of his intensely private sister will encourage others to reach out for help. 

He said Karen always put her own needs behind those of others, and was a guarded person who didn't readily share details about her private life.

Karen, you will never be forgotten. From day one you took me under your wing. You quickly went from being my supervisor, to a dear friend,' one colleague said.

Ms Gilliland's heartbroken coworkers described her as a 'strong and brave woman' who had 'such a positive outlook'.

'No problem ever seemed too big for you to solve,' the colleague said.

'Things just won't be the same without you. I hope you know how dearly you are loved and that you will forever be in our hearts.' 

Ms Gilliland had been staying in a hotel for the past week or so before she was killed in her new house, on Brae Street in the sleepy suburb of The Range.

She had never lived alone until two months ago, when she left Mr Gilliland.

It's understood she left home when she was just a teenager to be with him.

Her children are currently staying with their grandfather.  

A court official confirmed there was no record of a domestic violence order between the couple.

Police said the crime scene was among the worst they've seen, and Ms Gilliland's children have been left to carry the images of their mother's brutal slaying.

'It's a horrific scene for all included, especially those children to see that happen to their mum,' Acting Inspector Luke Peachey said on Wednesday.

'We've been police officers for a number of years, and this is one of the worst things we've seen.

'(The three children) are very shaken up. And I might add, as are the police who attended, and the QAS officers.'

What an horrific event.