Get you up to speed: Questions over whether cannibalism was involved in four-year-old boy’s murder | News World
A 32-year-old woman has been charged with murder following the discovery of her four-year-old son’s body at their home on Byron Street, Wyong, New South Wales. Police found the boy, exhibiting significant arm injuries, after the mother voluntarily turned herself in, allegedly stating she had committed acts of cannibalism.
Police have seized the woman’s Holden Captiva and other evidence from the crime scene, although they have not confirmed if anything recovered indicated cannibalism. The coroner is scheduled to conduct a post-mortem next week to ascertain the cause of death, as the woman is set to return to court on 1 September.
The woman charged with murder has been denied bail and will return to court on September 1. Supt Chad Gillies described the scene as “extremely confronting,” highlighting that police had prior knowledge of the woman and her son’s domestic situation.
What remains unclear — It is not known whether any evidence recovered at the scene indicated cannibalism.
Questions arise over potential cannibalism in four-year-old boy’s murder
Neither the mum nor the son can be identified for legal reasons (Picture: 9News)
A mum has been charged with murder after the body of a four-year-old boy was found in a home in New South Wales, Australia.
The woman, 32, allegedly told police she had ‘carried out acts of cannibalism’ on her son when turning herself in at 4.40pm yesterday.
Officers later discovered the boy’s body with significant arm injuries while carrying out a welfare check at her home on Bryron Street, Wyong.
The youngster may have been dead for days, broadcaster Nine News reported.
Insiders told The Sydney Morning Herald and the Daily Telegraph that fears of cannibalism came from ‘discussions’ police had with the mum.
The woman, who cannot be identified due to Australian child crime victim laws, drove to the station, which triggered the search of her home.
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Police entered the home after the woman turned up voluntarily at the police station (Picture: TNV)
Her Holden Captiva, along with other evidence, was seized. Police have not said whether anything recovered at the scene suggested cannibalism.
She was charged with a domestic violence-related murder today.
Supt Chad Gillies said at a press conference that the mum and son had a ‘domestic relationship’ and lived together at the unit.
She was known to the force, he added.
‘It was an extremely confronting scene,’ Mr Gillies said.
The coroner will conduct a post-mortem next week to determine the cause of death.
Boy was a ‘little angel’, say locals
Neighbour Harley Chislett said that the boy was a ‘little angel’ who often spent hours playing with his toy car and Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy.
He told the Daily Telegraph: ‘I can’t believe he’s dead. He was a good kid, a bit of a rug rat at times, like all kids that age.’
‘I loved that kid. Sometimes he would be up running around until 9pm, 10pm. It’s like he was running marathons at times.
‘He had lots of energy. He was adorable.’
Mechanic Glenn Winterbottom, 51, who repaired the mum’s vehicle, said that he had never seen any sign of trouble between the mum and son.
The woman did not appear in court today (Picture: TNV)
The pair had moved into the rental earlier this year, he said, following alleged domestic violence involving her and her ex-partner.
‘The kid was really cute,’ Winterbottom added. ‘He said, “Can you please fix mummy’s car, because she broke it?”‘
The woman was denied bail after failing to appear in court today.
She will return to court on September 1.
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