Police have charged a man following 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, near Cessnock, about 7:30pm on Friday after reports of gunshots. Officers found the woman's body with a gunshot wound, describing the scene as 'horrific and traumatic'.
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. 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 holding 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 flagging down passing motorists. 'Police have been informed that child walked a distance of some 300 to 400 metres from the premises seeking support from neighbours and that child was seen by drivers not from the area who supported this young child,' he said. 'Triple-0 was called and police then attended the scene, so it was quite horrific.'
Police are investigating the incident as a domestic violence-related homicide, with support from the state crime command homicide squad.
