Man charged with murder after woman allegedly stabbed minutes before help arrived in Broome

A man has been charged with murder after police say he allegedly stabbed a woman at a home in Western Australia’s north just minutes before emergency services arrived.

Police said they were called to the home on Frederick Street in Broome’s town centre just before 8pm on Friday night, responding to reports a woman had been seriously injured.

She was rushed to Broome Hospital after suffering multiple stab wounds, and police found a man nearby and arrested him.

“It will be alleged a verbal altercation occurred between the two individuals inside the residence, before the man stabbed the woman several times with a knife,” a WA police spokesperson said.

“It is believed the incident occurred minutes prior to emergency services arrival.

“Police believe the incident is family violence related.”

The 58-year-old woman died from her injuries in hospital on Saturday, and the 56-year-old man’s charge was upgraded to murder.

He will appear in Perth Magistrate’s Court later today.

Broome and the wider Kimberley region is home to one of the highest family violence rates in the country.

According to police statistics, the Kimberley recorded a total of 4544 total family assaults between July last year and June this year.

The monthly crime rate for the region breaks down offences per 100,000 people, and statistics show the total rate for the financial year centred on family violence is 11,378.8.

The next highest offence is property damage, at 4507.8.

Earlier this year, the Kimberley community of Fitzroy Crossing held a march through the town centre after a woman was allegedly killed in an act of family violence.

The woman’s death is the fifth alleged homicide in the Kimberley this financial year.