A 61-year-old man is facing a murder charge following the discovery of an elderly woman's body inside a Port Stephens residence, in a case police are treating as a domestic violence incident.
Crime Scene Established at Fern Bay Home
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to a property on Taylor Road in Fern Bay on Thursday, December 18. Upon arrival, they discovered the body of an 88-year-old woman inside the home.
Police immediately declared the location a crime scene and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Forensic officers remained on the scene into Friday morning as their inquiries continued.
Arrest and Court Appearance
Thomas Tapley, aged 61, presented himself at Newcastle police station at approximately 12:30pm on Thursday, December 18. He was subsequently arrested and charged with murder, with police noting the offence is categorised as domestic violence-related.
Tapley was refused police bail and appeared before a bail court in Newcastle on Friday, December 19. He represented himself during the brief hearing before Magistrate Elizabeth Bushby.
When asked by the magistrate if he wished to apply for bail, Tapley responded, "I politely decline that offer." Magistrate Bushby formally refused bail, and the matter was adjourned.
Future Court Date Set
Thomas Tapley is scheduled to reappear in court on February 25, 2026. Police confirmed they would hold a media briefing regarding the woman's death on Friday, December 19, to provide further details to the public.
The relationship between the accused and the victim has been described by authorities as them being known to each other, underscoring the domestic nature of the alleged crime. The community in the quiet coastal area of Fern Bay has been shaken by the tragic event.
