A man has been charged with murder following an investigation into an alleged assault and a house fire at Coffs Harbour.
Shortly after 5.30am on Sunday 7 September 2025, emergency services were called to Wongala Drive, Coffs Harbour, following reports of a fire.
Officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District attended the location and found a house well alight.
Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters attended the scene and extinguished the fire.
A 41-year-old woman escaped the home and was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor injuries before being taken to hospital for further treatment.
A crime scene was established at the location and forensically examined by specialist officers.
A short time later, emergency services were called to a house on Raymond Street, Coffs Harbour, following reports of an assault.
Officers attended the scene and found a man and a woman with head injuries.
NSW Ambulance paramedics attended the scene and treated them before they were taken to hospital in a critical condition.
A crime scene was established and inquiries into the incidents continued under Strike Force Estancia.
About 8am on Sunday 7 September 2025, police arrested a 28-year-old man at Coffs Harbour Police Station.
The man was charged with destroy/damage property with intent to endanger life (DV), and contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic).
He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 1 on Monday 8 September 2025, where he was formally refused bail to appear before Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday 11 November 2025.
Officers have since been notified that the 67-year-old man had died in Coffs Harbour Base Hospital on Saturday 13 September 2025, while the 65-year-old woman remains in a serious but stable condition in John Hunter Hospital.
As a result, the man was further charged with murder (DV), and attempt murder (DV), earlier today (Wednesday 17 September 2025).
He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 1 today.
