Discovery of a Decomposing Body in a Shared Home
A grim discovery was made when the decomposing body of a 61-year-old woman was found in the hallway of a home she shared with a 55-year-old man. The body was discovered on Saturday by a relative of the man, who had been living with her in a New Town home in Hobart’s north.
Police and members of the acute mental health team had attended the property earlier that morning to take the man for a mental health assessment. However, they did not enter the cluttered home during their initial visit.
Tasmania Police Detective Inspector David Gill provided details about the incident, stating that the mental health team and police spoke to the male resident at the residence. He was immediately detained for the mental health assessment and taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital.
“It wasn’t until later that day that another person attended the address to visit, and then found the body of the deceased woman on the floor,” Det Insp Gill said.
He confirmed that it was clear the woman had been dead inside the house for several weeks. “The male person has not made any disclosures of any form to members of Tasmania Police,” he added.
Det Insp Gill also mentioned that the man’s mental health referral was made by someone else. He is currently being held at the Hobart Reception Prison after completing his treatment, while investigations continue.
“At this stage, he has not been charged with any offence,” he said.
The home the pair had shared for some time was described as “chaotic,” with clutter everywhere. “When police attend any scene where a person is deceased, it’s obviously confronting and distressing, and this was no different,” Det Insp Gill said.
Police are treating the woman’s death as suspicious due to the fact that she had been dead inside the house for weeks. However, they are keeping an open mind and considering the possibility of natural causes.
An autopsy will be performed on Monday to determine the woman’s cause of death.
Support Services Available
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, there are support services available:
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
- beyondblue – 1300 22 4636
For more information and updates on this case, keep an eye on local news sources.
