Police have charged a man after the death of a 39-year-old woman in a Hunter Valley home, which they are treating as a domestic violence-related homicide. Emergency services were called to a home on Ellalong Street, Kearsley, about 7:30pm on Friday where they found the woman's body with a gunshot wound.
Christopher James McLoughney, 37, was arrested at a sporting club car park at nearby Bellbird about 6:45pm on Saturday, after a tip-off from a member of the public. Officers allegedly found a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition in his car, which was taken for forensic testing.
McLoughney was taken to Cessnock Police Station and 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.
Superintendent Steve Laksa said officers who found the woman described the scene as 'horrific and traumatic'. Police said a child raised the alarm by flagging down passing motorists after walking 300 to 400 metres from the premises seeking support.
The investigation is being supported by the state crime command homicide squad as a domestic violence-related homicide.
