Russell Lea murder: Benjamin Art, 42, charged with murder after woman was found with her throat cut at home in Sydney’s inner west
- Man charged with murder after body is found
- Woman found with throat slit in Russell Lea home
- READ MORE: Body of woman found in Sydney home after ‘domestic incident’
A man has been charged with murder after a woman’s body was found in a home in Sydney’s west.
NSW Police were called to a home on Clements St in Russell Lea, where officers arrived to find the woman, believed to be in her 50s, dead.
She has not yet been officially identified.
According to police, the woman was stabbed to death by her roommate and suffered serious injuries, including a cut to her throat.
Benjamin Art, 42, who police said was known to the woman, was arrested at the scene and taken to Burwood police station.
A statement from NSW Police said he was assisting with investigations.
Chief Inspector Christine McDonald told media on Thursday afternoon that police claimed the woman had suffered fatal stab wounds and that it was “very clear it was a murder”.
NSW Police were called to a house on Clements St in Russell Lea, where officers arrived to find the deceased woman, believed to be in her 50s.
Chief Inspector McDonald said the victim and the 42-year-old man lived together in a shared home and the alleged murder would be classified as a domestic violence homicide.
“When the police arrived on the scene, it was very clear it was a murder,” she said.
‘The victim suffered serious and multiple injuries to her upper body. As for the weapon, we are talking about stab wounds, so it is a knife-shaped instrument.”
Police allege the woman was stabbed to death by her roommate and suffered horrific injuries, including a cut to her throat
She added that the victim and the suspect, who is now helping police with their investigation, did not have an intimate relationship.
According to supervisor McDonald, five people lived in the house and the suspect moved into the house about three weeks ago.
Someone in the neighborhood dialed the number 0 three times after hearing a woman ‘screaming’ at the address.
The call was made at 11.07am and police arrived at the scene at 11.08am, Chief Inspector McDonald said.
The caller gives a statement to the police.
Detective Chief Inspector Christine McDonald told media on Thursday afternoon that police claimed the woman had suffered fatal stab wounds and that it was ‘very clear it was a case of murder’
Police have cordoned off a crime scene and detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death
Five people lived in the building and the 42-year-old man is ‘known to the other residents’ of the house.
Detective Superintendent McDonald said the man had no outstanding bail or arrest warrants in NSW.
“What I believe to be true is that they were not in an intimate relationship. The fact that they were living together and under the same roof, even if it was for two to three weeks, makes it a domestic violence incident,” Chief Inspector McDonald said.
Police have established a crime scene and detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.