Woman found dead with two young children home, man arrested

Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a 32-year-old woman in a Victorian border town, after her body was found in a home on Tuesday morning.

Police arrested a man, 45, at the same property in Cobram, on the Murray River bordering NSW, shortly after being called to the residence. The man was known to the woman, police confirmed, adding that “people should be safe in their relationships”.

They were called to a home on Christie Avenue, a small cul-de-sac street, at 5am, following reports that the woman had been found dead.

The young children inside the home were not physically injured during what police described as “an incident”.

Homicide Squad detectives drove to the scene from Melbourne to interview the man about the woman’s death.

Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said the man was known to police and is yet to be charged.

“There were two young children in the house and what exactly they’ve seen, we don’t know, but we’ll do our best to speak to them,” Thomas said. “Their wellbeing is number one and making sure that they’re OK, and being looked after and provided support that they need.

“People should be safe in their homes, they should be safe in their relationships … One woman killed in a situation like this is too many, and we can’t stand for it.”

The family was living in a social housing unit, which they had moved into around two years ago, according to a neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous due to the police investigation.

The family was quiet and kept to themselves, the neighbour said.

The neighbour recalled an ambulance pulling into the driveway around 5am but otherwise did not hear anything overnight.

The woman’s death comes a little over a year since Cobram woman Emma Bates was found dead in her home.

John Torney, 40, who is alleged to have moved into Bates’ home in the weeks before her death, has been charged with negligent manslaughter and assault-related offences, including intentionally causing injury, several counts of assault, and breaching a court order.

A previous court hearing was told that Bates was violently assaulted, suffering serious injuries including bruising and a lump under her left eye, a large gash on the top of her head and cuts on her nose.

Torney has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The number of women reporting violent abuse by their former partners has soared 30 per cent in the past five years, according to new statistics obtained by The Age. Last year alone, there was a 15 per cent rise in reports of domestic violence by former partners, compared to the previous year.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

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