Police have charged a man following the death of a 39-year-old woman in a Hunter Valley home, which is being investigated as a domestic violence-related homicide. Emergency services were called to a home on Ellalong Street, Kearsley, near Cessnock, at about 7:30pm on Friday after reports of gunshots. Officers found the woman with a gunshot wound, describing the scene as 'horrific and traumatic'.
Christopher James McLoughney, 37, was arrested at a sporting club car park in nearby Bellbird about 6:45pm on Saturday following a tip-off from a member of the public. Police allegedly found a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition in his car, which has been 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 said a child raised the alarm by walking 300 to 400 metres from the house to flag down passing motorists. 'Triple-0 was called and police then attended the scene, so it was quite horrific,' he said. The investigation is being supported by the state crime command homicide squad.
