Tragedy on the Central Coast: Grandmother Found Dead After Unit Fire
A 26-year-old man is now facing a murder charge following the death of a 77-year-old grandmother in a devastating incident on the Central Coast. Diane Elaine Harkess was discovered deceased in the loungeroom of her single-level unit on Melissa Close at Bateau Bay about 9.30pm on August 24.
Emergency services responded to a fire at the property, but a subsequent police investigation revealed a far more sinister situation. Authorities allege that Ms Harkess suffered significant injuries and died before the blaze erupted.
Suspect Faces Court After Charges Upgraded to Murder
Jacob Divola, 26, was initially charged in August with damaging property by fire or explosion, identified by police as a domestic violence-related offence. After further intensive inquiries by detectives, that charge was upgraded to murder, also designated as a domestic violence matter.
Divola faced Wyong Local Court on Tuesday, where he was formally refused bail. The matter has been adjourned, and he is scheduled to next face court on February 3. The court previously heard in August that Divola was on a mental health care plan at the time of the initial charges.
A Community Mourns a 'Well-Loved' and 'Kind' Grandmother
The loss of Diane Elaine Harkess has sent shockwaves through the local community. Superintendent Chad Gillies described her as “a well-loved member” of the Bateau Bay area.
“She gets on very well with the residents in the estate there,” Superintendent Gillies said. “It’s a tragic set of circumstances, she is well loved and a very kind person.”
The profound grief felt by her family was expressed by one of her grandsons on social media. He wrote that the family had been left “shattered”, knowing her life and home “were both taken so violently.”
He added that the tragedy had left behind “an emptiness that feels impossible for our family to describe,” highlighting the deep and lasting impact of this violent crime on those who loved her most.
