Emma Bates: Family of the woman found dead in her home in rural Victoria break their silence as they pay tribute to her ‘big heart’ and reveal she and the man charged with a slew of offences over her death were not in a relationship

A woman found dead in her rural Victoria home is being remembered for having the “biggest heart” as her family revealed they “hated” the man who faced a raft of charges over her death.

Emma Bates, 49, was found dead at her home in Cobram, close to the NSW border in Victoria’s far north, about 2.15pm on Tuesday after suffering injuries to her upper body and face.

John Torney, 39, who lived next door, was charged on Wednesday evening with murdering Mrs Bate with intent, recklessly causing injury, common law assault, aggravated assault on a female and unlawful assault.

Police said the two knew each other and were widely rumored to be in a relationship.

But Ms Bates’ family told Daily Mail Australia they had only known each other for weeks, not months, and that she “hated” him.

John Torney (pictured), 39, who lived two doors away, was charged on Wednesday evening with murdering Mrs Bates with intent, recklessly causing injury, common law assault, aggravated assault on a female and unlawful assault

‘Emma knew what kind of person John was. She hated him,” said Mrs. Bates’ sister, Rachel.

“Somehow we don’t know how he ended up in her life.”

Rachel paid tribute to her sister and said she did not let her lifelong health problems get in the way of helping others in the Cobram community.

‘She had type 1 diabetes, which caused many health complications, she was often hospitalized. She used her mobility scooter to get around,” Rachel said.

“Despite all her health problems, she had the biggest heart of anyone we know. She was always helping someone.

‘Drop off food for an elderly neighbor. Giving lifts to people who needed them. The list goes on.’

The family had been in Melbourne to support Ms Bate’s father who was receiving medical treatment.

Mrs Bates’ (pictured) sister Rachel said she had ‘the biggest heart of anyone we know’

Mrs Bates was found deceased in her home on Tuesday afternoon (pictured).

‘When he returned to Cobram it was at a crime scene at his daughter’s house. We initially thought she had had a medical event,” Rachel said.

“When the police informed us that she had (allegedly) been attacked and left to die, it devastated our world. The life of a beautiful, caring woman has just ended. It all doesn’t make sense.’

Rachel, who did not want to give her last name to protect her parents’ privacy, lovingly described her sister as the “crazy cat lady aunt.”

“She had her rescues that she treated like her babies. Her interior was completely inspired by cats,” Ms Vella said.

‘Emma was not blessed with children, but was a proud aunt to her seventeen nieces and nephews.

‘They were her pride and joy and she would talk to everyone about them for hours. She had many of their faces tattooed on her leg so she could always carry them with her.

“Tragically, her big heart led her to a friendship with a man who (allegedly) wanted her harm. Nobody deserves that.’

Ms Bates is the 26th woman to be murdered in Australia this year as the country grapples with an epidemic of violence against women.

Torney faced an out-of-court hearing Thursday evening.

He will appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

A team of detectives and forensic officers searched Ms Bates’ home on Wednesday for evidence and spoke to neighbors as part of the investigation.

A wheelchair scratching post and a cat could be seen unattended in Mrs Bates’ driveway as forensic officers searched the property on Wednesday afternoon

As police walked in and out the front door, a wheelchair, a cat scratching post and an exercise bike could be seen lying in Ms. Bates’ abandoned covered parking lot.

Friend Kylie Mizzi, whose parents lived next door to Ms Bates for many years, told Daily Mail Australia she was a “beautiful soul”.

“She always helped my elderly parents and had a big heart, was warm and loving,” she said.

“I’m completely shocked that something like this could happen to such a beautiful soul.”