Add Category
Police have established a crime scene after the death of a 59-year-old woman at Deeragun, Townsville.
POLICE have confirmed a 19-year-old man is assisting with inquiries after he handed himself into authorities assisting in the investigation of the death of a woman overnight.
Police are investigating the possibility the violent death of a Townsville daycare operator was the result of a break-and-enter gone wrong.
Rosemary Russo, 59, died at her Deeragun home from significant head injuries despite paramedics’ attempts to revive her.
The front yard where a woman was murdered overnight. Picture: Zak SimmondsSource:News Corp Australia
A women was murdered in Deeragun overnight. Picture: Zak SimmondsSource:News Corp Australia
Neighbours called emergency services after hearing a disturbance at the residence, where Ms Russo ran a family daycare operation, about midnight on Thursday.
“It was a terrible scene, very grisly,†Regional Crime Co-ordinator Superintendent Ray Rohweder told reporters on Thursday.
A neighbour said it was a shocking incident.
“It’s terrible. She’s looked after kids for a number of years. I used to drop off egg cartons for Easter stuff. It’s just a shocking incident which you’d never see coming,†the man told ABC radio.
Superintendent Ray Rohweder. Picture: Zak SimmondsSource:News Corp Australia
Picture: Zak SimmondsSource:News Corp Australia
Police are looking at whether the death was the result of a break-and-enter gone wrong, and say they have found items relating to the incident hidden in long grass nearby.
Supt Rohweder said police were looking for a “significant witness†who was seen leaving the house next door and walking through the yard.
Police hope to release a description on Thursday afternoon.
They are looking at whether it might be linked to a number of other incidents in the area overnight.
Police are appealing for any information from the public, and say the person responsible would likely have been covered in blood given the brutal nature of the attack.