Woman allegedly slain by housemate named
A woman who was allegedly brutally murdered in her own home by her new housemate has been identified after her alleged assailant was arrested.
Police allege Benjamin Scott Art, 42, stabbed his housemate Annette Kiss to death at a home on Clements St in Russell Lea between 11am and 11.10am on Thursday.
When they arrived on the scene in Sydney’s inner west, police found the body of the woman in her 50s with gruesome injuries, including a cut to the throat and multiple stab wounds.
Police claim the woman had been living with Mr Art in a share house, which he had only moved into two to three weeks ago.
Although they were not in an intimate relationship, their living status means the alleged murder has been classified as a domestic violence homicide.
Police arrived at the scene a minute after receiving a call from a member of the public who had heard a woman “screaming” at the Russell Lea home.
Mr Art was arrested at the scene and taken to Prince Alfred Hospital for treatment of his injuries before being charged with murder.
He was not required to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Friday after spending the night behind bars on remand.
His lawyer Javid Faiz acknowledged the murder charge was “very serious in nature” and “probably one of the most serious charges that comes before this court”.
Acting magistrate John McIntosh removed the “probably” and asserted it was the most serious charge to be heard in a local court.
He adjourned the matter until August 28 to allow the brief of evidence to be served on Mr Art’s lawyer.
The alleged murderer did not apply to be released on bail, so he will remain in custody on remand until he returns to court next month.
Outside court, Mr Faiz did not refute suggestions his client had slit his housemate’s throat.
“My client understands the seriousness of the matter,” he said.
“We’re waiting for the brief of evidence.”
Although Mr Art asked his lawyer not to apply for bail on Friday, Mr Faiz foreshadowed an application would be made “in due course”.
