Renewed appeal as inquiries continue into suspicious death of Bourke woman
Thursday, 31 October 2024 03:04:55 PM
Police have renewed their appeal for assistance from the community as they continue to investigate the death of a Bourke woman earlier this week.
Officers from Central North Police District were called to Parkdale Road, Bourke, about 8am Tuesday (29 October 2024), after the body of a 47-year-old woman was found outside her home.
A crime scene was established, and detectives commenced an investigation under Strike Force Akitio, assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.
An extensive canvass of the area was conducted, with a number of people spoken to.
Scene of Crime Officers have conducted a forensic examination of the location where the woman’s body was found, as well as inside her home on Parkdale Road. That crime scene remains active.
A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted in coming days.
Commander of Central North Police District, Superintendent Gerard Lawson, appealed to the community for information to assist investigators.
“As inquiries continue, detectives are awaiting the outcome of the post-mortem examination to get a clearer idea of the circumstances of the woman’s death,” Supt Lawson said.
“I have spoken with family members, and we are continuing to support them and keep them informed.
“She has been a well-known and respected long-time member of the Bourke community for much of her life, and her death has caused widespread distress.
“I renew our appeal for assistance from anyone in the community who can provide information to assist investigators,” he said.
A 49-year-old man – who was arrested at the scene shortly after the woman’s body was found – has not been charged in relation to her death; however, has been charged over an unrelated incident on Sunday (27 October 2024), after information was received during the investigation.
The man, who is from Bourke, has been charged with stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (DV), after allegedly threatening a 42-year-old man with a weapon.
Officers attached to Central North Police District had been called to Parkdale Road on Sunday night 27 October 2024 for a report of two males fighting; however, after making inquiries no offences were detected or disclosed to police. A formal statement was made at Bourke Police Station on the evening of Tuesday 29 October 2024.
The older man was refused bail and appeared in Cobar Local Court yesterday (Wednesday 30 October 2024), where he was remanded in custody to re-appear in the Bourke Local Court on Thursday 7 November 2024.
As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone with information about the death of the 47-year-old woman – or who were in the area at the time and has relevant dashcam/mobile phone footage – to contact Bourke Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.