source : the age
A man accused of killing his former partner had assaulted her before phoning emergency services to report that she was unresponsive in his house, detectives say.
Police investigations suggested the woman died from asphyxiation in the early hours of Wednesday at the home in Slacks Creek, Logan.
She had been in contact with police regarding domestic violence in the days leading up to her death.
The 27-year-old woman, from Woody Point, was found by emergency services at the property on Rowanda Street.
Paramedics performed CPR, but she was declared dead at the scene.
Officers arrested a 37-year-old man from Slacks Creek, the only other person at the house at the time, and declared a homicide investigation.
Speaking to media on Wednesday morning, Detective Inspector Ian Galpin said an autopsy would be conducted to formally determine her cause of death.
“But our preliminary investigations would suggest this woman died of asphyxiation,” he said.
Galpin said the pair, who were First Nations people, had been in a relationship but that had ended. It was not known how long the pair had been separated.
He confirmed a temporary protection order had been in place for the woman, and the circumstances of the relationship would form part of the investigation.
Galpin said having reviewed the investigation so far, he was satisfied police had taken the appropriate actions, and said support had been offered to the woman.
“What has happened this morning is an absolutely tragic event,” he said.
“It’s something that the Queensland Police Service, our partner agencies, and our support services – we come to work every day to try and prevent this exact thing.
“So when something like this does happen, we all feel it, as I’m sure the wider community does as well.”
Opposition spokesperson for women Shannon Fentiman said the incident as heartbreaking.
“My thoughts are with her loved ones, and with everyone in our community who may be affected by this tragedy. Work to prevent violence must continue.”
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