Man charged over young Bellambi mum Kirstie Powell’s murder

A MAN faced court charged with the murder of a Wollongong mother, four days after her body was found in her home.

• Woman found dead, baby unharmed
• Man sought over young mum’s death

A MAN faced court charged with the murder of a Wollongong mother, four days after her body was found in her home.

Bhanu Alan William Kirkman, 29, appeared in Maitland Local Court today on one count of murder after 39-year-old Kristie Powell was found dead in her Bellambi house just after 1am on Friday.

Bhanu Kirkman in the back of a NSW Police van. Picture: Seven News

His lawyer made no application for bail and it was formally refused by magistrate John Chicken who adjourned the matter to Wollongong Local Court on October 17.

Police took Kirkman into custody after his arrest relating to outstanding warrants before questioning him on Monday over the murder.

Kristie Powell was found dead close to her baby son.

Kristie Powell claimed she was being stalked.

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Kristie Powell’s blood-covered body was found at her Lorking St home. Picture: John Grainger

Detective Brad Ainsworth said there were definite signs of physical injury and that the death was being treated as a homicide.

She had a significant amount of blood on her … there were definite signs of physical injury,” he said.

“We’re treating it as a homicide no doubt,” he told reporters in Wollongong.

The man has been refused bail and will appear in Maitland Court on Tuesday.

Initial inquiries by detectives unearthed the fact that Ms Powell had repeatedly dealt with a tenacious stalker that called himself “the reaper.” Picture: John Grainger