Teen daughter watches father die in 'gruesome' family stabbing
A teen daughter has witnessed her father being stabbed to death in an alleged family feud which escalated dramatically in Sydney’s north west.
Police are describing the scene in North Richmond on Monday as ‘gruesome and horrific’, with the altercation also leaving the man’s mother-in-law critically injured.
“It’s always horrible to walk into a situation like that,” NSW Police Detective Superintendent Jim Stewart said.
The man’s wife, Robyn Coble, was injured and visibly distraught after police discovered her husband, Adam Coble, dead in their family home.
“There was one male patient who unfortunately was declared deceased at the scene with a stab wound to his central chest,” NSW Ambulance Inspector Kevin McSweeney said.
Ms Coble suffered cuts to her arms but did not require hospital treatment.
Her mother, aged in her 60’s, survived but is fighting for her life at Westmead Hospital with critical stab wounds to her neck.
Police say the couple’s 13-year-old daughter and her friend watched the dispute unfold.
“Walking into a house and being confronted with something of that nature is quite telling on police alone, let alone the people who were involved in it themselves,” Detective Superintendent Stewart said.
One neighbour said they weren’t surprised over the incident, saying “that’s the way they lived”.
Police don’t believe anyone else was involved in the attack and have refrained from commenting on who landed the fatal blow to Mr Coble.
Police did confirm however the family was known to police for domestic disputes.
“You’ve got to be safe in your home, you’ve got to look after each other. When things like this happen it just brings it home,” Detective Superintendent Stewart said.
Police and investigators remain at the North Richmond home as they attempt to piece together exactly what happened and determine if charges are to be laid.
On Monday evening, Ms Coble was in police custody for questioning.
Her mother has since undergone emergency surgery for her injuries.
