Croydon stabbing: Couple in hospital after alleged domestic violence incident

A “sweet, friendly” elderly couple are fighting for life after being stabbed with a gardening pick axe in what police say was a domestic attack.

A “sweet” and “friendly” elderly couple are in hospital after what police say was a domestic stabbing attack in Sydney’s Inner West last night.

Laszlo Molnar, 70, and his wife Ilona, 65, are both in critical conditions at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital after suffering multiple stab wounds.

Emergency services were called to the home on Etonville Parade, Croydon, about 8.40pm on Thursday to find the man with stab wounds to his head.

It is believed Mr Molnar was attacked with a gardening pick axe, and his wife was found with wounds believed to be self inflicted.

Forensics at the scene. Picture: John Grainger

After searching the home, police found Ilona in the backyard with stab wounds to her upper body.

The couple’s 31-year-old daughter called triple-0 when she arrived home from work yesterday to find her father injured upstairs. The two are both in induced comas. 

Police described the bloody scene as traumatic for the police officers who found the couple. “It is believed the occupants of the premises became involved in an incident resulting in severe traumatic injuries to a male person and also a female person,” Burwood Police Crime Manager Detective Inspector Ian Pryde said. “We believe this is a domestic violence incident,” he said. 

Police have been unable to speak to the couple in hospital and forensics will form a large part of the investigation.

According to property records Mr and Mrs Molnar bought the home in 1995.

The house has not been sold or rented out since then.

Neighbours on the quiet tree-lined street were reeling after discovering that police believe the elderly couple were involved in a domestic violence attack.

Police outside the home where the incident happened. Picture: John Grainger

A neighbour said the incident was extremely shocking as they had always had positive interactions with the couple.

“All I know is the couple were really sweet and very friendly,” they said.

“He would give me fruit as I walked past and let me pick berries from his tree, he would say ‘come help yourself’.

“The lady was so friendly, she would always say hello to our dog, we got a puppy and she loved the puppy.

“It’s a little bit strange.”

The couple bought the home together in 1995. Picture: John Grainger

The neighbour said they had never heard any commotion coming from the house.

Neighbour Carmen Bezjak told The Daily Telegraph she was still in shock after learning what had happened to her neighbours.

“I’ve lived here 20 years and I’ve never heard them arguing ... we say hello sometimes but that’s it,” she said.

Ms Bezjak said she would often see Mr Molnar tinkering in his back garden.

She said she never heard a thing last night when the alleged attack took place.

“We’re all in shock, we didn’t know what was going on. We didn’t know what was happening and then we found out this morning and we still can’t believe it,” she said.

Another neighbour who wished not to be named said the couple was quiet and respectful.

They also said they didn’t hear anything last night, and were shocked this would happen in such a quiet street.

NSW Police have established a crime scene and forensics continued to crawl through the ordinary suburban brick home this morning, however authorities say they are not seeking any other parties in relation to the incident.

More to come.

Originally published as Croydon stabbing: Couple in hospital after alleged domestic violence incident