Police have charged a man following the death of a 39-year-old woman in a Hunter Valley home, which is being treated as a domestic violence-related homicide. Emergency services were called to a home on Ellalong Street, Kearsley, about 7:30pm on Friday after reports of gunshots, where they found the woman with a gunshot wound.
Christopher James McLoughney, 37, was arrested at a sporting club car park in Bellbird about 6:45pm on Saturday after a tip-off from a member of the public. Police 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 licence or permit. He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.
Superintendent Steve Laksa described the scene as “horrific and traumatic” and said the investigation is being supported by the state crime command homicide squad. Police also reported that a child raised the alarm by walking 300 to 400 metres to flag down passing motorists, who called Triple-0.
