Woman is feared murdered near a South Morang kindergarten and a man has been arrested – as the nation hits a grim new milestone
Homicide detectives are investigating what is believed to be the murder of another Australian woman, bringing the sad number of murdered women in the country to 71.
The latest suspected victim of male violence was found dead in South Morang, just northeast of Melbourne, on Monday morning.
Police arrested a 33-year-old man at the scene who is being questioned by detectives.
Emergency services were called to a home on Reid Street around 10am.
The woman, who has yet to be formally identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A police spokesman said the exact circumstances surrounding her death had yet to be established and investigations were ongoing.
It is clear that both parties know each other.
Reid Street in South Morang (pictured) was closed by police
Another woman has been murdered in Melbourne. Police converged on Reid Street in South Morang
The incident caused immediate fear in the community, especially among parents of children in a nearby preschool on Reid Street.
“Kids are all good, they have no idea what’s going on or so we’re told,” one parent wrote online.
Another local resident was locked out of his own home while police arrived on the scene.
‘I live on the street, was told there is a major police operation going on and I can’t go home. I said it would take several hours,” he wrote.
Sherelee Moody, who runs a website that charts the number of women murdered across Australia, lashed out at the sad addition to her running tally.
“She is the 71st woman murdered this year. I can’t believe I wrote about 71 murdered Australian women this year,” she posted online.
Forensic police attended the tragic scene in South Morang
“I can’t believe you’re reading about the 71st woman murdered this year. I can believe the lack of action from those in power.”
Another woman noted that the figure would be an even more disturbing statistic if the death were confirmed as a homicide.
’71! -that’s about one woman every four days!’ she wrote.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
There’s more to come