Woman's stabbing death being treated as murder, partner in hospital

The stabbing death of a 65-year-old woman in Bruce late yesterday afternoon is being treated as murder, and a man is under police guard in hospital.

The woman’s daughter called police and the ambulance service to the two-storey home in Kinloch Crescent at about 5:40 pm, where they found the woman with stab wounds from a knife in the kitchen, and a 70-year-old man, her partner, with injuries to his wrists and unresponsive.

The woman could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene, while her partner was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious condition.

Detective Inspector Mark Steel said police believed the stab wounds were not self-inflicted and Homicide Squad detectives were investigating.

“We believe no one else is involved in this incident,” he said.

Detective Inspector Steel said no one else was in the home at the time of the incident and the daughter came upon her mother and father when visiting.

There were no signs of a struggle.

He said police had yet to speak to the man and no decision would be made about charges until they could do so.

“We are yet to establish a motive in relation to the incident,” Steel said.

“We’re appealing to anybody who knows anything about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers.”

Detective Inspector Steel said the circumstances of the couple’s relationship were under investigation, but they were long-time residents and were not known to the police.

“The family are very traumatised, certainly with an incident involving the mother and father,” he said.

Forensic team members and homicide detectives remain at the home, processing the crime scene.

Anyone with information in relation to this matter is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via quoting reference P2202377.