Man charged six months after woman died fleeing alleged abuse in Sydney’s east

A man has been charged with murder and coercive control over the death of Claire Austin, who was fatally injured while fleeing from her boyfriend’s alleged abuse in Sydney’s eastern suburbs this year.

Austin, 38, lacerated an artery in her arm when she tried to force her way through a sliding door in her top-floor Randwick unit on the evening of April 12. Police, who were called to the unit after a neighbour reported hearing an argument, believe she was trying to escape a domestic violence incident when she was injured.

She was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in a critical condition and died three days later on April 15.

Her ex-boyfriend, 44-year-old Lee Loughlin, was taken to Maroubra police station on the night of Austin’s injury but released without charge. Police applied for an apprehended violence order on behalf of Austin, which was due to be heard in Waverley Local Court on April 17.

Loughlin was arrested on Thursday under Strike Force Lyndoch at a home in Little Bay.

He was taken to Maroubra Police Station and charged with domestic violence murder, and coercive control over an intimate partner.

He will appear in court on Friday.

“Emergency services were called to a unit on Randwick Street, Randwick, about 7.40am on Saturday 12 April 2025, following reports of a concern for welfare,” a statement from police reads.

“Police established a crime scene and spoke to a 44-year-old man – known to the woman – who was taken to Maroubra Police Station to assist with inquiries.

“Following extensive inquiries, investigators attended a home at Little Bay and arrested a 44-year-old man about 9am today.”

Austin was originally from Britain and had worked as a senior event producer at The Misfits, a Sydney-based creative agency, since March, according to her LinkedIn profile. She had studied in the UK before moving to Australia.

NSW Premier Chris Minns called the incident “disturbing”.

“I feel so terribly sorry for that woman and her family,” he said in April. “It’s another example of somebody dying, allegedly at the hands of domestic violence.”

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell described Austin’s death as an “absolute tragedy”, adding that police were “determined to work out exactly what happened”.

National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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