By Brendan Rees
A Berwick man has been charged following the discovery of a woman’s body in Cranbourne North on Saturday 7 July.
A 36-year-old woman was located deceased at the Maria Court property just after 10.30am following reports of a fire.
Homicide Squad detectives charged the 38-year-old man with one count of murder. Remanded in custody, he will appear in court at a later date.
Detectives arrested the 38-year-old man at the residential address in Berwick just before 4pm on Saturday 7 July.
All parties who were involved in the incident are believed to be known to each other.
The occupants who lived at the address have been located safe.
Police will await the results of a post mortem regarding the exact cause of death.
City of Casey Deputy Mayor Amanda Stapledon, who also lives in the neighbourhood where the incident occurred, said the street was swamped with emergency services in a street that is usually “peaceful.”
“The whole area was blocked off for a good part of the day,” she said.
As a resident for more than 20 years, she said the incident came as such a shock; she began to shake from being upset.
“It was devastating in itself and even more so as it was in my backyard and my concerns remain with those dear children,” she said.
“It gives me an insight into how communities feel when these things happen but it also strengthens my resolve to make sure that our communities remain safe.”
Another neighbour, Bill, who did not wish to reveal his surname, said although he didn’t know the family, the incident came as a shock.
“We didn’t know much about her at all. We never heard any fighting between her and her husband,” he said.
“Everyone is saying how much of a wonderful person she is.”
Bill said he regularly heard children playing on the trampoline and the man would often take his boat out fishing.
“I never ever heard him raising his voice or yelling or anything.”
Domestic Violence Victoria (DVR) was devastated by the murder. It has reiterated the need for all political parties at both federal, state and territory levels to commit to long-term, bipartisan and evidence-based effort to end violence against women and children.
“The best evidence on the likelihood of perpetration of domestic violence is attitudes towards women and attitudes towards violence,” DVR chief executive Fiona McCormack said.
“We don’t see almost two men murdered by women per week in Australia. This is largely happening to women and children, perpetrated by men.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
