Person of interest was texting Erin Gilbert day of her murder, husband claims

A 32-year-old friend of aged care nurse Erin Gilbert and her husband, who was ‘like a little brother, has been charged with her bashing murder in a Merryland unit on Easter Sunday.

Erin Gilbert, inset, was found dead in a pool of blood in her Merrylands apartment. Picture: Supplied/News Corp

A man has been charged with the Easter Sunday murder of aged care nurse Erin Gilbert.

Morton Jensen, 32, was arrested on Tuesday morning and charged with the bashing death of Ms Gilbert, on April 9.

Ms Gilbert’s body was found in the bedroom of her Merrylands apartment by her husband Nicholas, who arrived home to the grisly scene. Her injuries were so horrific, there was nothing he could do to save her.

Jensen, who was close friends with the Gilberts, allegedly killed Ms Gilbert, 42, around 10pm then fled the scene.

“Police will allege in court, on the night of the murder, the man – who is known to Erin – attended her Merrylands apartment after a conflict had escalated and attacked her with a bladed instrument,” NSW Police said in a statement.

“It is further alleged the man fled the scene on foot, before getting on a black and red mountain bike”.

Mr Gilbert says his wife was home alone on the evening of April 9 when someone went inside their Merrylands unit and stabbed her multiple times in the head. Picture: Facebook

“As he fled, it’s believed the man discarded the clothes he was wearing, including a grey hooded jumper with a distinctive logo on the back.”

Jensen was refused bail and is due to face Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday.

It comes after Ms Gilbert’s husband claimed “a person of interest” in her death was texting her the day she died.

NSW Police have confirmed Mr Gilbert, who was arrested at the scene and taken for questioning over the 42-year-old woman’s death, is not a suspect in his wife’s death.

But four months after her death, homicide detectives have turned their attention to a close friend of the couple who was allegedly in contact with Ms Gilbert the day she died.

Morton Jensen is now a person of interest in Ms Gilbert’s death.

In a lengthy interview in the days after his wife’s death, Mr Gilbert told The Daily Telegraph that “Morty” was texting his wife hours before she was killed.

“I’ve known him for years, he’s like me (sic) little brother, sort of thing,” Mr Gilbert said.

“Erin spends all her time with me...but there’s a couple of people that come around and hang out with her when I’m not there, like Morty.”

Morten Jensen. Picture: Facebook

“On the day it happened, he (Jensen) was messaging Erin, but I had Erin‘s phone,” Mr Gilbert said.

“He was saying all this weird stuff...that his ancestors had put a curse on him...I think he was coming off something.”

Mr Gilbert said the couple, who married two years ago, battled with drug addiction. Picture: Facebook

The Daily Telegraph is not suggesting Mr Jensen is guilty of any crime in connection with Gilbert’s death, only that he is a person of interest.

Police believe someone entered the Gilbert’s unit about 9pm and fatally bashed the former aged care nurse.

Neighbours reported hearing screaming coming from the first floor unit about that time.

Mr Gilbert was at a mate’s house playing video games, and arrived home about 11pm to find his wife’s body.

He said the couple, who married two years ago, battled with drug addiction which worsened shortly before Ms Gilbert’s death, but insisted they had plans to go to rehab and “get clean”.

Mr Gilbert told The Daily Telegraph that his mate had been messaging Erin the day of her death. Picture: John Grainger

He said he had no idea why anyone would harm his “gentle” wife.

The Daily Telegraph has attempted to contact Mr Jensen for comment.

In a statement, NSW Police confirmed investigations were continuing into Ms Gilbert’s death and that no one has been charged as they continue to investigate all leads.

“Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad – assisted by detectives from Cumberland Police Area Command and the South West Metropolitan Region – are continuing to investigate the murder of Erin Gilbert under Strike Force Trevelyan,” a police spokesman said.

“Anyone who may have information which could assist strike force investigators is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”