Domestic Violence Incidents Across Queensland and New South Wales
Mareeba, Queensland
A 54-year-old woman was found deceased on Wednesday morning, with a 34-year-old man charged with murder.
Police were called to a property on Downs Street at approximately 7:15 AM after the woman's son contacted authorities. Upon arrival, officers located the woman on a verandah with injuries to her upper body and head.
A 34-year-old man was taken into custody at the scene. Police described the relationship as "intrafamilial." He has been charged with:
- One count of murder as a domestic violence offence
- Misconduct of a corpse
- Contravening a domestic violence order
Detective Inspector Kevin Goan stated police will allege an altercation occurred at the property the night before the discovery. Police allege the woman sustained life-threatening injuries during that altercation, and there was an attempt to conceal her death. The 34-year-old man is the only person of interest in the investigation.
The accused was refused police bail and is scheduled to appear in Atherton Magistrates Court on April 17. Police are appealing for anyone in the Downs Street vicinity with information or relevant vision to come forward.
Dimbulah, Queensland
Human remains were discovered on March 24 at a rural property on Stock Road, approximately two hours west of Cairns.
Officers conducting a welfare check observed a fire burning on the property containing what they believed to be human remains. A 37-year-old man from Dimbulah has been charged with murder and misconduct with a corpse by interfering.
Detective Inspector Jason Chetham stated police allege the death of a 70-year-old man occurred on March 23 following an altercation between the two men, who were related through marriage.
Police further allege that the victim's body was burned after the death. The two men were reportedly the sole occupants of the property. The accused was taken into custody in Mareeba on March 31 and has been remanded in custody, scheduled to appear in Mareeba Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Authorities continue to appeal for anyone with information to come forward, citing the tight-knit nature of the Dimbulah community.
Windale, New South Wales (Lake Macquarie)
A woman believed to be in her 40s was found deceased with multiple injuries, including stab wounds, after a triple-0 call on Saturday at approximately 8:00 PM.
Emergency services responded to a home on Merrigum Street. Upon arrival, police arrested a 25-year-old man outside the property. Inside, officers located the woman's body. Paramedics attempted resuscitation, but she was pronounced deceased at the scene.
NSW Police Superintendent Tracy Chapman stated it is believed the deceased woman and the accused man are mother and son.
The arrested man, identified as Blaise McIntyre, was taken to a police station and charged with murder (DV). A household knife was seized from the home for forensic examination. Superintendent Chapman stated the son is believed to have made the initial triple-0 call. There is no known history of domestic violence reports involving the two individuals, and the man had very limited prior interactions with police.
McIntyre was refused bail and is scheduled to appear in court in June.
Argenton, New South Wales (Near Newcastle) – Separately Investigated
Police are investigating the death of a man in his 40s at a home on Montgomery Street around 4:00 AM on Saturday.
The man was found with stab wounds. Paramedics treated him, but he died at the scene. Police stated it is alleged that six to eight offenders forced entry into the home.
Superintendent Chapman stated it is believed the incident was a targeted attack, and the alleged offenders were wearing dark clothing and face coverings.
No arrests have been made in connection with this incident. The weapon used has not been identified. Investigations are ongoing.
Gooburrum, Queensland
On Friday evening, emergency services responded to a call at a home on Moore Park Road, where a 42-year-old man was found deceased with a serious head injury.
A 33-year-old man from Bundaberg North was taken into custody and charged with one count of murder. He was refused police bail and is scheduled to appear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court.
Police stated the two men were known to each other, and language interpreters are assisting. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.