Detectives try to solve the mystery of why a brutally murdered grandmother visited her estranged husband’s home just weeks after a restraining order was issued against him.
Christine Rakic, 50, was found beaten to death, apparently with a blunt instrument, at the family’s former investment property in Rooty Hill, western Sydney, after her concerned family raised the alarm with police.
Her husband Dusan Rakic, 50, was found with what appeared to be self-inflicted injuries and bleeding at the scene.
He had moved into the bungalow about a year ago. It was rented out until their marriage collapsed after two decades together.
Rakic had been charged with sexual assault related to domestic violence in May and police had issued a warrant for his arrest to protect his wife.
But on Tuesday night, nursing home worker Ms. Rakic drove to her ex-husband’s house and parked around the corner from his house instead of in his driveway as usual.
At around 8:15 p.m., neighbors said they heard two “big loud screams,” then silence until police arrived about 15 minutes later.
Detectives try to solve the mystery of why brutally murdered grandmother Christina Rakic (pictured) visited the home of her estranged husband Dusan Rakic (pictured)
Christine Rakic, 50, was found beaten to death with a blunt instrument in the family’s former investment property after her concerned family raised the alarm with police
Police issued a restraining order against Dusan Rakic in May to protect wife Christine Rakic
Police sources said first responders found a gruesome, blood-soaked murder scene, with Ms Rakic dead and her husband suffering life-threatening injuries.
The father-of-two, who reportedly works for a refrigeration company, is in a induced coma under police guard at Westmead Hospital in a critical but stable condition.
He is expected to survive the injuries to his throat and wrist and will be questioned by police once he regains consciousness.
“There is blood all over the house,” says a police source. “It’s a big crime scene.”
Forensic experts remained on scene overnight and into Wednesday as they marked the savage attack with yellow markers.
Ms. Dakic’s purple 2009 Mazda 6 – with a wooden butterfly on the rear-view mirror and a car seat for her grandchild in the back – was also taken by police for testing.
Mt Druitt Police Superintendent Steve Egginton said the investigation was still in its early stages and they had yet to formally identify the victim.
Police sources say first responders have found a gruesome, blood-soaked murder scene, with Ms Rakic already dead and her husband’s life-threatening wounds
Forensic teams (pictured) worked through the night at the blood-soaked crime scene
“We don’t have much information at the moment — of the two people who were in the house at the time, one has died and the other is in a coma,” he said.
“It’s too early in the investigation to determine exactly how that happened and that’s going to be hard for us to figure out over time.”
Neighbors revealed that the couple discussed the sale of the Rooty Hill home with a real estate agent who lives around the corner from the property.
Ms. Rakic’s car was found opposite the estate agent’s house, prompting speculation by neighbors that she discussed the sale of the house directly with him before she died.
They said she may have then walked around the corner to her husband’s house to talk about the impending sale before her tragic death.
“Usually she always parked in her husband’s driveway,” says neighbor Shannan Brennan, who lives opposite the murder scene.
“That’s the only reason I can think of why she would have parked around the corner.”
Dusan Rakic (pictured with his wife Christine and children Dion and Amellia) had moved into the Rooty Hill bungalow in western Sydney about a year ago when their marriage collapsed after two decades together
Neighbor Shannan Brennan revealed that before Ms Rakic’s brutal murder, the couple discussed selling the house with a local estate agent
The family is said to have lived in Queensland for a brief period before returning to the Hassall Grove home five years ago, prior to the marriage split.
The estate agent assisted police with the investigation late Tuesday night, but declined to discuss the tragedy with Daily Mail Australia.
Mrs Rakic lived with her adult son Dion in the family home five minutes away in Hassall Grove. Her Facebook profile is filled with photos of her with her grandchild through her adult daughter, Amellia.
Neighbors in Hassall Grove said they had occasionally seen Rakic circling the roads around his wife’s home in his silver 1997 Toyota Corolla after they parted ways last year.
“He was a nice guy, but very religious,” said a resident of Hassall Grove. “I’m Catholic, but he was very preachy.
“He used to say how great God was and how ‘the day of the Lord would come…’ It was a little unsettling to be honest.
“Their son told me they broke up when I noticed he was gone. He just said that his parents didn’t get along anymore.
“But I kept seeing him drive around, but not stop or come in. I’m not sure if he was spying on her or what, but it was very strange.”
He added: ‘She was a beautiful woman, but quite reserved. We would wave and say hello and maybe talk for a few minutes but that was it. However, she loved her gardening.
“It’s terrible what happened to her.”
Ms Rakic’s car was taken by police to be tested in the unusual parking lot around the corner from her husband’s house
A wooden butterfly hung from the rearview mirror of Christine Rakic’s purple 2009 Mazda 6
The family is said to have lived in Queensland for a brief period before returning to the Hassall Grove home five years ago prior to the marriage separation.
In addition to the homes in Rooty Hill and Hassall Grove, Rakic also owned a retail unit that he leased on nearby Rooty Hill Road.
The murder comes on the eve of a NSW crackdown on domestic violence set to begin this weekend.
Sixteen women, men and children have died in NSW this year in DV-related incidents, with the youngest aged just 11 months and the oldest 91.
Police will enforce AVOs and outstanding arrest warrants as they crack down on the violators of Operation Amarok’s four-day statewide display of force.
“Domestic violence is the number one offense in this area,” says Supt Egginton.
“I’ve been a police officer for 35 years and domestic violence has been a dominant feature for most of my career. It stays that way.’