WARNING: Distressing content
Police are treating a stabbing death in a Sydney share house as a domestic-violence-related murder, as NSW’s premier concedes more needs to be done to protect women.
Benjamin Scott Art, 42, faced Parramatta Local Court on Friday charged with the murder of his new housemate Annette Kiss in a crazed attack the previous morning.
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Kiss, 53, was repeatedly stabbed in her upper body with a bladed weapon at the home at Russell Lea, in the city’s inner west.
7NEWS understands the weapon was a samurai sword.
Kiss was found dead at the scene despite police arriving within one minute of receiving a triple-zero call about 11am from a neighbour.
Three other housemates were also present at the time, police said.
Investigators are treating it as a domestic violence-related murder, the latest in a series of women’s violent deaths in NSW in recent months.
Premier Chris Minns signalled his government could take further action to prevent domestic violence, describing the Russell Lea scene as “very distressing” for those present.
“It’s a reminder that NSW police do an incredible job, dealing with distressing situations, putting their own lives in danger to keep the public safe wherever they possibly can,” he said.
“Domestic violence is prevalent in our community and we need to do as much as we possibly can either with law changes, or extra resourcing for the prevention of domestic and family violence in our community, and the job is far from being done.”
The state government in May announced an emergency $230 million funding package to combat domestic violence, while also moving to tighten bail laws for alleged offenders.
Art, who was not on bail or subject to any apprehended violence orders, was taken to hospital for treatment after the incident.
He was then taken to Burwood police station and charged with murder.
In court on Friday, Art did not apply for bail and it was formally refused ahead of his next appearance in August.
“My client understands the seriousness of the matter and he’s instructed me not to make a release application,” his solicitor Javid Faiz said outside court.
Police do not believe the pair were in an intimate relationship but had been living together as housemates for as little as two weeks before the death.
Superintendent Christine McDonald said witnesses to the stabbing were “obviously upset”.
“Police were on the scene one minute after the triple-zero call. Police arrived at a scene that was very clearly a homicide,” she said on Thursday.
“So you can imagine if you’re known to the victim and you’re a housemate of hers, you will be extremely distressed.”
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency, call 000. Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men’s Referral Service, 1300 766 491.