Police face probe as woman dies after 000 emergency call in Casino, man charged with murder

Police took an hour to respond to a triple-0 call after screams were reported coming from a home – only to discover a woman dead when they finally did arrive.

Police took an hour to respond to a triple-0 call after screams were reported coming from a home – only to discover a woman dead when they finally did arrive.

The response from officers will now be scrutinised in a critical incident investigation launched by NSW Police.

NSW Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said a triple-0 call concerning an alleged domestic violence related incident in Johnston St, Casino was made just after 1.30am on Saturday.

But police did not acknowledge the call until 2.25am and arrived at the scene two minutes later.

A critical incident investigation is underway at the scene. Picture: Catherine Piltz

The forensic team investigating the woman’s death in Casino.Picture:Newswire/Natalie Grono

Mr McKenna confirmed Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the alleged murder of the woman, believed to be in her 40s.

The Sunday Telegraph understands the triple-0 call was categorised as a priority three, meaning police did not go to the Johnston St address immediately.

It is understood officers would have responded immediately had the incident been categorised as a higher priority incident.

Neighbours reported they heard screaming coming from the single-storey Johnston St home about 1.30am.

Despite police efforts to revive the woman, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Upon attendance, they found a woman unconscious with obvious injuries to her head,”, Mr McKenna said. “Unfortunately, her condition deteriorated and she died at the scene. The delay has given me enough concern that I have asked for an independent ­investigation.

“What (police) were doing prior to that and what other jobs there were will form part of that investigation.”

A neighbour described how she heard horrific screams from the house. Picture:Newswire/Natalie Grono

Residents surrounding the Johnston St home, who did not wish to be named, said the woman had told them she was “paranoid” someone was “out to get her” in the days leading up to her death.

On Saturday night, 31-year-old Dwayne Creighton, understood to be known to the woman, was charged with one count of murder.

One neighbour told The Sunday Telegraph the man arrested by police had been seen around the neighbourhood previously “but no one knows his name”.

Officers attached to Richmond Police District arrived and assisted the woman, however she died at the scene. Picture: Catherine Piltz

A 31-year-old man, believed to be known to the woman, was arrested at the scene. .Picture:Newswire/Natalie Grono

Homicide detectives will investigate why the call was given a lower priority ranking and how long it took police to get to the scene after the triple-0 call.

The incident will also be investigated by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.

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Originally published as Police face probe as woman dies after 000 emergency call in Casino, man charged with murder