Rollercoaster life and times of well-educated law graduate before he was allegedly stabbed to death

A charming and intelligent law graduate who was trying to turn his troubled life around was stabbed to death by a woman because he wouldn’t tell her his name, police allege.

Nicholas Braid was just days away from celebrating his 36th birthday when he was involved in an argument outside the Beachcomber Resort in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast on Tuesday night. 

Police will allege Mr Braid went to the hotel to speak to his accused killer Freedom Mona Maunsell Anderson, 20, and a group of others – with whom he had a loose association with.

An argument allegedly erupted between Mr Braid and Anderson before it escalated.

‘What is your name, why did you lie to me?’ Anderson allegedly said to Mr Braid, who replied: ‘I don’t have to tell you my name,’ the Gold Coast Bulletin reported.

Nicholas Braid (pictured) was days away from his 36th birthday when his life was cut short

Anderson allegedly stabbed Mr Braid’s chest. He collapsed on the footpath and later died in hospital.

Anderson allegedly fled the scene towards the beach and was eventually arrested the following day and charged with one count of murder. 

The incident was captured on CCTV and allegedly showed Anderson wearing a black cap, shirt shorts, leggings and distinctive red sneakers.

Police will allege the items of clothing were found at the unit where Anderson was arrested the next day.  

Freedom Mona Maunsell Anderson, 20, glared and lashed out at the cameras as she was driven to Southport Watchhouse on Wednesday night following her arrest

Meanwhile, the outpouring of tributes from Mr Braid’s heartbroken friends and family continue to roll in for a man who lived a ‘rollercoaster’ ride of highs and lows. 

‘You lived the way you wanted to live. Braidy’s way or the highway. This is how I’ll always remember you. Smiling, laughing and full of life. I love you bro and I’ll be fighting for you everyday,’ one friend wrote on Facebook.

Another added: ‘RIP mate, life was always a rollercoaster with you in it, you’ll be sorely missed by everyone you touched. Far too young my brother, you’ll always be apart of who I am.’

One friend said he would forever cherish Mr Braid’s loyalty, sense of humour and intelligence.

‘He sure knew how to rustle some feathers,’ he said. 

Mr Braid adored his parents and was fiercely protective of his younger sister and brother. 

 Nicholas Braid (pictured) has been remembered as loyal and protective of his family

He attended the prestigious The Southport School before he graduated with law and international relations degrees.

He once worked as an industrial relations advisor with the Local Government Association of Queensland.

But among the highs were lows which included two stints behind bars in the last three years for separate offences.  

He was briefly behind bars in 2017 for impersonating a lawyer and other dishonesty offences.

Mr Braid returned to jail earlier this year after he was charged with three counts of stealing at fuel stations.

He was released on bail last week after several months behind bars and was temporarily staying with a friend. 

Abigail Braid broke her silence to pay a heartbreaking tribute to her late brother Nicholas

Abigail Braid described her ‘wonderful and amazing’ older brother. He was also charming, intelligent and much loved.

‘He adored my parents and was so good to them,’ Ms Baird told Seven News on Thursday.

‘We love him so, so much. We will adore and cherish his memory forever. It’s just a senseless tragedy all round.’

She fought back tears as she thanked everyone on the family’s behalf for their overwhelming support. 

 Mr Braid has been described by family and friends as charming, intelligent and much loved

‘I would like to, on behalf of all my family, really thank the members of the public who tended to Nick and paramedics for their valiant attempts to save his life,’ Ms Braid said.

‘We’ve received so many beautiful messages from people sharing their wonderful and sometimes hilarious memories of Nick.

‘We’ve really felt the support from everyone.’ 

She acknowledged her brother had ‘struggles’.

‘Perhaps that’s how they (he and Anderson allegedly) came to cross paths,’ Ms Braid said. 

Her mum told Michelle told The Courier-Mail. ‘Despite his struggles, he never stopped caring for them and always had compassion for the underdog.

Freedom Mona Maunsell Anderson, 20, (pictured) was charged with the murder of Nicholas Braid

‘His loyalty and generosity knew no bounds. He was known for his formidable intelligence and passionate eloquence. We are devastated.’ 

Friend Isabelle Marlor said she will  cherish the ‘happy’ final moments she had with  one of the kindest, sweetest guys  she’s have ever met on Monday night.

Mr Braid had been temporarily staying at her place before he died.

‘It was nice to see him and I am glad I got to spend the time I did with him. The people that were around him at the time were stoked they got to spend the little time they did,’ Ms Marlor, 21, told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

She first met Mr Braid eight years ago.

‘I was 13 years old hanging out with people more than double my age, constantly putting myself in unsafe situations. Very few people cared about what happened to me back then. Even now at 21 years of age, few people care about me. But he was one of them,’ Ms Marlor said.

Mr Braid collapsed on the footpath outside the Surfers Paradise apartment block and later died

The 35-year-old (pictured) was described as ‘loyal, generous and smart’ by his family

Anderson, meanwhile, waved and stuck her finger up at cameras and banged on the police car window as she was driven to Southport Watchhouse on Wednesday night following her arrest. 

Anderson did not appear when the matter was briefly mentioned in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday.  

The matter was adjourned for a committal mention on June 23 to allow detectives to continue their investigations. 

Anderson remains behind bars.

‘Obviously it’s a very serious crime but this matter needs to be resolved,’ Anderson’s lawyer Michael Gatenby told Seven News.

‘We’ll give consideration to bringing an application for bail.’ 

Detectives continue to investigate whether smashed windows or if a ‘wilful damage’ incident could have led to Mr Braid’s death.

Police have also found a knife, which is being forensically examined. 

Freedom Mona Maunsell Anderson, 20, (pictured) after she was arrested on Wednesday over Mr Braid’s death. She remains behind bars

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk