WARNING: Distressing content
A woman has been found dead at a sharehouse in Sydney’s inner west, and her male housemate is in custody.
The woman, believed to be aged in her 50s, was found with a slit throat and a number of upper body stab wounds inside the shared residence on Clements St, Russell Lea, just after 11am on Thursday.
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A member of the public called triple-0, alerting police to a suspected domestic violence incident and a woman screaming, NSW Police Superintendent Christine McDonald said.
Police arrived at the house one minute after the call.
“The scene that police arrived to … it is very clear that it is a homicide,” McDonald said.
A 42-year-old man was arrested and taken to Burwood Police Station, NSW Police said.
7NEWS understands the suspect is accused of using a samurai sword to attack his housemate, allegedly during a drug-fuelled bender.
He was one of five residents of the Russell Lea residence, all of whom were at home at the time of the alleged attack.
“We know the victim and the other housemates moved into this residence five to six weeks ago. The person of interest moved in two to three weeks ago,” McDonald said.
McDonald said the person of interest has a “non-violent traffic and drug-related history” but clarified he has “no outstanding matters for bail, AVOs, warrants, nothing like that, in NSW”.
She said the victim and alleged offender are not understood to have been in an intimate relationship.
“The fact they were living together, residing under the one roof — albeit for two to three weeks — makes it a domestic violence incident,” she said.
“The victim suffered significant and multiple injuries to her upper body. We’re talking stab wounds, so it is a bladed instrument.”
McDonald said the three other housemates are “obviously upset” and “extremely distressed”.
The three housemates, and the member of the public who called for help, are all providing statements to police.
Police are still attempting to contact the victim’s next of kin, McDonald added.
Investigations are ongoing.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency, call 000. Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men’s Referral Service, 1300 766 491.