A man has been charged following the death of a 39-year-old woman in a domestic violence-related homicide in the New South Wales Hunter region. Police described the scene as 'horrific and traumatic'.
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 fatal gunshot wound.
Christopher James McLoughney, 37, was arrested at a sporting club car park in Bellbird at 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 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. 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 after walking 300 to 400 metres from the home. The child was supported by drivers who called Triple-0.
The investigation is being conducted by Hunter Valley police with support from the state crime command homicide squad, treating the incident as a domestic violence-related homicide.
