A man has been arrested after a woman’s body was found in Casino in northern NSW on Saturday morning. Due to an almost hour-long delay from officers responding to the call, a “critical incident” has been declared by NSW Police.
A statement from NSW Police says officers responded to a concern for welfare call at 2:25am on Johnston Street, Casino. Upon arrival, the woman was unconscious and had head injuries.
Responding officers tried to assist the woman and call for an ambulance, but she died at the scene.
An unidentified 31-year-old man was arrested by officers and taken for questioning to Lismore Police Station. He has been charged with her alleged murder, and was in a relationship with the unidentified woman in her 40s.
Peter McKenna from NSW Police said that the critical incident was declared due to the 55 minute delay from officers. The emergency call was made at 1:30am, but officers arrived at the scene at 2:25am.
“That has given me enough concern to ask for an independent review … what was that delay and whether it was justified or otherwise,” said the Northern Region Assistant Commissioner.
The critical incident means it will be independently reviewed by NSW Police to determine any failures in the officers’ response to the emergency call.
The state homicide squad is currently investigating the alleged murder, and is unsure who made the initial police call at 1:30am.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or online here. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
