A man has been charged with damaging a property by fire following the suspicious death of a woman at Bateau Bay on Sunday, August 24.
Emergency services were called to Melissa Close about 9.30pm, responding to reports a body had been found in a unit damaged by fire.
Officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District found the body in the lounge room of the single-level unit.
While yet to be formally identified, it’s believed to be that of the 77-year-old woman who lived there.
Strike Force Areegra – comprising detectives from Tuggerah Lakes Police District and assisted by State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad – was established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death, which is being treated as suspicious.
A 26-year-old man has now been charged with damage property by fire/explosion more than $15000 (DV) in relation to the fire.
He was arrested at Chittaway at about 3.30pm on August 25 on an outstanding warrant for an unrelated domestic violence-related offence.
He was taken to Wyong Police Station where he was charged with the warrant, and later that day, over the alleged arson.
The man was refused bail to appear in Bail Division Local Court 6 on Tuesday, August 26.
Detectives are awaiting the outcome of a post-mortem examination of the body to confirm identity and cause of death.
Inquiries are continuing.
Tuggerah Lakes Police District Commander, Detective Superintendent Chad Gillies, has urged anyone who saw any suspicious activity on the nearby oval or around the unit between 9pm on Saturday, August 23, and 9pm on Sunday, August 24, to contact Wyong Police or Crime Stoppers.
