Luke Raymond Simpson charged with murder of Mount Gambier mother Rachel Martin

A community has been shaken by the death of a mother allegedly killed in a shocking domestic violence attack, police say, as the murder-accused’s identity is revealed.

The man accused of murdering a Mount Gambier mother in an act of domestic violence has fronted court for the first time.

Luke Raymond Simpson, 34 has been charged with the murder of Rachel Martin after police discovered the body of the 44-year-old at a Chestnut Close property on Sunday morning.

Simpson appeared via video link from police custody at the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court this afternoon where his lawyer Chris Ryan did not apply for bail.

Mr Ryan told Magistrate Maria Panagiotidis he expected a preliminary autopsy report would be available in six weeks with the police prosecutor asking for a charge determination date in October.

Earlier, Limestone Coast Police Superintendent Campbell Hill said the man had been arrested for the murder of Ms Martin, who had adult children from a previous relationship.

“To lose a loved one to begin with is tragic enough, to have it linked in with a homicide and what police are alleging is a domestic-related homicide is just devastating,” Supt Hill said.

“Everyone in the community is rocked by this.”

Supt Hill said ambulances attended the home after reports a woman had collapsed and unresponsive.

“Sadly, a 44-year-old woman was found deceased,” he said.

“From the outset there was certainly concerns raised about the way in which the deceased was located and the evidence is enough we’ve sadly charged someone with murder.”

A 34-year-old man has been charged with murder after the body of a 44-year-old woman was discovered in a Chestnut Close house in Mount Gambier on Sunday.

Supt Hill said the pair were both known to police as recently as early 2020 but could not confirm if an intervention order had been in place.

He made an appeal to the public for further information about their relationship.

“We have had dealings with both the accused and the deceased,” he said.

“This is not a situation where police were actively involved with these particular people.

“We would encourage people with knowledge of the deceased and the accused in relation to this matter to help build as big of a picture as we can to try and maximise our ability to put some answers to what is a really tragic and really devastating impact this is going to have on the family.”

Speaking generally South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens described domestic violence as a “scourge on our society”.

The “devastating” death of Rachel Martin is a reminder of how much work needs to be done to stop domestic violence, a prevention group says.

Brad Chilcott, South Australia based executive director for White Ribbon Australia, and founder for the Family and Domestic Violence Advocacy Network, said there was an “epidemic” of domestic violence in SA.

“It’s always devastating to hear that another woman has lost their life because of men’s violence but it shows just how much work there is to do in changing the culture that creates the space for these kinds of acts to occur,” Mr Chilcott said.

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“This is further evidence that men’s violence against women is an ongoing epidemic in South Australia.”

White Ribbon aims to promote gendered equality by engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls.

He said community-based groups should be formed to conquer domestic violence in it’s different forms.

“White Ribbon Australia is inviting community groups to come together to from community action groups that can develop locally led solutions … and design prevention plans that engage men and boys, so we can begin to prevent men’s violence before it happens.”

He said men should reflect on their actions when tragedies like Ms Martin’s death occur.

“Every man should take a moment when these kinds of things happen, to reflect on their own behaviour. We may not all use violence but we need to reflect on whether we are creating fear in our households, whether people are scared when we get angry, or when stress rises.

“If we get a sense that things are getting out of control or we might have used violence, we need to be willing to call men’s referral service … and speak to someone about it.”

Our Watch chief executive officer Patty Kinnersly said 23 women have been allegedly murdered by men known to them so far this year in Australia.

“We all must all ‘do something’ when we see disrespect towards women and gender inequality because if we don’t, we are creating a culture where violence against women is more likely to occur,” Ms Kinnersly said.

“Only then, will we create the cultural change needed to prevent violence against women and their children.”

Luke Raymond Simpson is accused of murdering a Mount Gambier woman, 44, pictured in 2016. Picture: Facebook

Picture: Facebook

Police are not looking for a weapon or investigating any further crime scenes.

Magistrate Panagiotidis adjourned the matter until October.