Troy Safranko, Bankstown: Son accused of stabbing his own mother to death, killing her cat and setting fire to the family home, just one day after being released on bail for allegedly strangling her
A man has been accused of murdering his mother and her cat before allegedly setting her house on fire, after it emerged he was released on bail a day earlier for allegedly trying to strangle her.
Firefighters were responding to reports of a fire at a house in Bankstown, in Sydney’s west, when they found Katherine Safranko, 67, in the backyard with catastrophic head injuries at 7pm on Sunday. according to the Daily telegram.
She couldn’t be saved. Police tasered Ms. Safranko’s son, Troy Safranko, 31, who was found in the driveway of a neighbor’s house, allegedly with a knife.
On Monday evening, Mr Safranko was charged with the murder of his mother.
He is also charged with killing her cat, setting her house on fire and violating bail conditions.
Firefighters were responding to reports of a fire in the suburb of Bankstown when they found Katherine Safranko (pictured), 67, in the backyard with catastrophic head injuries at 7pm on Sunday.
Chief Inspector Martin Hayston said on Monday afternoon that firefighters had extinguished a small fire in the house when they found Ms Safranko.
“She suffered significant head injuries but her actual cause of death will not be determined until the autopsy is carried out in the coming days,” Chief Inspector Hayston said.
Two officers fired their Tasers at Mr. Safranko.
“He (allegedly) had a knife in his hand when police arrived and he approached them, and shortly after the Tasers were discharged,” Detective Chief Inspector Hayston added.
On Monday evening, Troy Safranko, 31, was charged with murdering his mother. He is also charged with killing her cat, setting her house on fire and violating bail conditions
Pictured: Forensic officers search the alleged crime scene
Mr Safranko was taken to Bankstown Police Station before being transferred to a hospital where he was kept under police guard.
‘He was returned to Bankstown Police Station where he was charged with murder (DV), torture, beating and causing the death of animals, damaging property by fire, breaching bail, and breaching an interdict /restriction in AVO (domestic),” a NSW Police spokesperson said.
‘Police will allege in court that the man stabbed the woman before killing her cat and setting the property on fire.’
Chief Inspector Hayston had previously confirmed that police had responded to an incident at the same property on Friday, which led to Mr Safranko being charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and choking a person with intent.
An apprehended violence order with strict bail conditions banning Mr Safranko from coming within 100 meters of his mother’s home or workplace was issued by police due to concerns for her safety.
Mr Safranko was refused bail and will appear at Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday.