Chilling Murder in Hunter Valley: Man, 37, Charged with Killing 39-Year-Old Woman in Domestic Violence Homicide
- Policemen were met with a “horrific and traumatic” scene after they found the woman’s body with a gunshot wound
- A witness claimed to have heard gunshots, leading to the emergency services being called to the Kearsley property
- The accused, Christopher James McLoughney, was arrested after a tip-off from a member of the public and was found with a sawn-off shotgun in his car
In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves throughout the New South Wales Hunter region, a 39-year-old woman was found dead in her home near Cessnock, with her 37-year-old partner Christopher James McLoughney being charged with her murder.
According to the police, emergency services were called to the Ellalong Street, Kearsley, property around 7:30 pm on Friday after reports of gunshots and a woman being injured. When they arrived, they were met with a scene that was described as “horrific and traumatic”.
Superintendent Steve Laksa said, “Hunter Valley police, Cessnock police and a number of other police attended to reports of a female who suffered serious injuries. There is information a firearm was discharged at the premises.”
In a heartbreaking development, a child at the scene flagged down passing motorists to raise the alarm, walking around 300 to 400 meters from the premises to get help. Superintendent Laksa said, “Triple-0 was called and police then attended the scene, so it was quite horrific.”
McLoughney was arrested at a sporting club car park at nearby Bellbird about 6:45 pm on Saturday, after a tip-off from a member of the public. When police searched his car, they allegedly found a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition, which were taken for forensic testing.
The accused has been charged with murder, possess prohibited drug, possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, and possess ammunition without a holding licence or permit. He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.
Police have established a crime scene at the Kearsley property and are offering support to the woman’s family. Superintendent Laksa said, “Hunter Valley police are being supported by the state crime command homicide squad in what’s reported to be and is being investigated as a domestic violence-related homicide.”
Family and domestic violence support services:
1800 Respect national helpline: 1800 737 732
Women’s Crisis Line: 1800 811 811
Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491
Lifeline (24 hour crisis line): 131 114
Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277
NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463