The belongings of a woman who became the latest victim of Australia’s male violence epidemic could sadly be seen strewn across her driveway on Wednesday – as police arrest a man who was previously acquitted of murdering a child very young.
Emma Bates, 49, was found dead in her home in Cobram, in Victoria’s far north, about 2.15pm on Tuesday, making her the 26th woman killed in the country so far this year.
John Torney, 39, known to Ms Bates, assisted police with their investigations.
Daily Mail Australia understands Ms Bates and Thorney recently started dating.
Torney, a violent drug addict, has an extensive criminal record with more than 70 criminal records. He pleaded guilty to domestic violence offenses last year and recently appeared in court earlier this month.
Ms Bates was discovered deceased inside her home (pictured) on Tuesday afternoon.
A wheelchair and cat scratching post could be seen unattended in Ms Bates’ driveway.
Police officers were seen speaking to a man at the scene
Pictured: John Torney
In 2015, he was charged with the murder of his then partner’s two-year-old daughter, Nikki Francis-Coslovich, after the little girl, who had been beaten to death, was found hiding in a roof cavity.
Torney admitted to putting the child’s body on the roof, but claimed it was the little girl’s mother, Peta Ann Francis, who killed her.
Ms Francis was never charged and Torney was acquitted of the toddler’s death by a jury – who were never informed of her violent and drug-riddled past.
He was also previously convicted of beating a police officer with a hammer and a neighbor’s statement that he used to “smash Nikki” was ruled inadmissible in court.
A team of detectives and forensic officers were seen Wednesday scouring the Campbell Road home for evidence and speaking to neighbors as part of the investigation.
As police entered and exited the front door, a wheelchair, a cat scratching post tower and an exercise bike could be seen in Ms Bates’ abandoned parking garage.
Her friend Kylie Mizzi, whose parents lived next door to Ms Bates for many years, told Daily Mail Australia she was a “beautiful soul”.
“She always helped my elderly parents and had a big heart, she was warm and loving,” she said.
“I am in total shock that something like this could happen to such a beautiful soul.
John Torney is seen outside a sitting of the Supreme Court at Mildura Magistrates’ Court, Mildura, Thursday November 10, 2016.
Pictured: Nikki Francis-Coslovich
Ms. Mizzi affectionately described Ms. Bates as a “crazy cat lady” who “loved her cats.” A sign dedicated to her pet cats was visible on her screen door Wednesday
Forensic teams were in and out of the home Wednesday as the investigation into the tragedy continues.
“Something must be done about domestic violence. All women should feel safe.
Ms. Mizzi said Ms. Bates had no children, but was a mother to several cats who she adored.
Ms Bates’ ex-husband, 59, was contacted by The Age on Wednesday but was too distraught to speak.
Towns along the NSW-Victorian border are experiencing an unprecedented increase in the number of women seeking help for family and domestic violence issues, according to a local news report on Wednesday.
Di Glover, chief executive of Albury-based community support organization Yes Unlimited, said she had never seen such high numbers in the past 10 years.
“We see 8 to 10 women a week coming forward after a domestic violence attack,” Ms Glover told the Border Mail.
“We’re really feeling the effects.”
A man was seen leaving the house with police
Police officers were seen removing crime scene tape at the home Wednesday afternoon.
Two distressed women could be seen watching police work the crime scene
Ms Gloves also noted that domestic violence-related assaults in the Murray River Police District have increased over the past five years.
She said officers in the region had responded to 753 incidents in the past 12 months, including 418 in the Albury local government area alone.
Speaking to reporters outside her home on Wednesday, Ms Bates’ neighbor Kayla Dennis said she no longer felt safe as a woman in Australian society.
‘(I’m really scared. I’m not going out by myself,’ she said.
“A lot of women in Australia are starting to feel this way too.
“It’s truly sad.”
Speaking to media on Wednesday, Premier Jacinta Allan pleaded with Victorians to speak out against bad behavior towards women as she calls for change to end violence against women.
While she couldn’t speak specifically about the Cobram incident because the exact circumstances have yet to be determined, she said too many women have been killed this year.
Kayla Dennis said women across Australia fear for their safety as violence against women continues to rise.
Cobram is located in northern Victoria, near the New South Wales border.
“We have already seen too many women lose their lives in 2024,” Ms Allan said.
“They lost their lives, either at the hands of a current or former partner, or at the hands of a complete stranger who seemed determined to inflict harm on women.”
“This has to stop.”
The tragedy comes as the toll of violence against women continues to rise in Australia, with a wave of shocking alleged murders rocking the country in recent weeks.
Young mother Molly Ticehurst was found dead at a home in Forbes, central west NSW, on Monday, just ten days after celebrating her 28th birthday.
Her accused killer had been released on bail just weeks ago after sexually assaulting her – with the stunning revelation prompting the NSW government to launch a review of the case and the bail system under State guarantee.
Eleven days ago, five women – including Ashlee Good, Jade Young, Dawn Singleton, Pikria Darchia and Yixuan Cheng – were among six people killed in a stabbing attack at Bondi Junction in Sydney.
Meanwhile, in Victoria, the Ballarat region has been at the center of several shocking and high-profile alleged murder cases in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, Hannah McGuire, 23, from Clunes, was found dead in a burnt-out car near Scarsdale, southwest of Ballarat. Her ex-boyfriend, with whom she had recently purchased a house, has since been charged with her alleged murder.
In March, Ballarat man Patrick Stephenson, 28, was charged with the alleged murder of local mother Samantha Murphy, 52, who disappeared from the area during a morning jog in February.
Days later the body of young mother Chaithanya ‘Swetha’ Madhagani, 30, was found stuffed in a green bin on Mount Pollock Road in Buckley, west of Geelong.
Her husband Ashok Raj Varikuppala had already flown to India with their son and is wanted by police for questioning as part of the investigation.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of or is at risk of family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) for a national sexual assault advice line, family and domestic violence 24 hours a day.
Mensline Australia 1300 789 978 Supporting men and boys facing family and relationship difficulties. 24/7 phone and online support, an information service for Australian men. Call 1300 789 978 for assistance.
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