Marita Therese Cunningham denied bail over murder of Freshwater woman May Ritchie

MARITA Therese Cunningham, the ex-girlfriend of a man who was in a relationship with Freshwater murder victim May Ritchie, was denied bail in Manly court today.

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MARITA Therese Cunningham faced Manly court today charged with the murder of 81-year-old Freshwater grandmother May Ritchie.

The 49-year-old Narraweena woman did not apply for bail but it was also formally refused.

After being brought into the dock handcuffed, Ms Cunningham stared at the ceiling and looked to be fighting back tears. She began to cry once the hearing started.

On Monday night, Ms Cunningham was formally charged with the murder of Ms Ritchie.

It’s understood Ms Cunningham is the ex-girlfriend of Ms Ritchie’s partner, Bob Lyford.

Murdered Freshwater woman May Ritchie pictured alongside Bob Lyford.

Between 6.30-8.30pm on Sunday night, it’s alleged Ms Cunningham bashed Ms Ritchie to death using her own walking stick.

The body of the mother-of-three was found by her boyfriend of six years, Mr Lyford, on the floor of her Freshwater unit covered in newspapers and cushions.

Mr Lyford, who lives across the road, had gone to see Ms Ritchie when she did not turn up for a prearranged date.

Flowers decorate the home of May Ritchie. Picture: Braden Fastier

Mr Lyford told News Corp about the horror of discovering his partner’s brutally bashed body.

“I was trying to find out from Marita where the bloody hell May was, not realising she was on the floor, covered in cushions and newspapers,” Mr Lyford said.

“Then I saw May’s leg and I can’t tell you the shock.”

Mr Lyford said he tried CPR on Ms Ritchie but there was too much blood on her face to do mouth-to-mouth.

Virginia Mounfey, and Zico leave flowers at the scene where the body of an 81-year-old woman was discovered in Freshwatwer Picture: Braden Fastier

Police and paramedics were called to the unit but it was too late. Ms Cunningham was arrested in a nearby street a short time later.

A neighbour, Peter Menelaou, claims Ms Cunningham visited Mr Lyford on Sunday afternoon. She then allegedly visited Ms Ritchie across the road. Ms Ritchie was well-known and much-loved in the community.

Police at the crime scene. Picture: Braden Fastier

“She was such a lovely woman, an absolutely kind soul who wouldn’t hurt a fly, it’s unbelievable,” said Mr Lyford.

Local residents shared their shock on Monday and described Ms Ritchie as a very lovely and friendly lady who would wave to children as they walked past.

Ms Cunningham is due to face Central Local Court on May 17.