Katrina Coghlan’s accessory to murder charge dropped in stab death of Christopher Ward

A woman charged in relation to the stabbing death of Christopher Ward at Broadmeadow earlier this year has had a charge against her withdrawn.

A woman charged in relation to the stabbing death of Christopher Ward at Broadmeadow earlier this year has had an accessory to murder charge against her withdrawn.

Katrina Maree Coghlan, 47, was charged with accessory after the fact to murder and her husband Ian Matthew Conway, 46, charged with murder, after Mr Ward suffered a fatal stab wound to the stomach at a home in Broadmeadow on the night of March 7.

Although he was treated at the scene and taken to John Hunter Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries and died days later.

Detectives charged Ian Matthew Conway, 46, and Katrina Maree Coghlan, 47, in relation to an alleged murder stabbing in Broadmeadow March 7, 2021. Picture: Facebook

Christopher Ward died in hospital after being stabbed in Newcastle on Sunday, March 7. Picture: Supplied.

Strike Force Mailey investigators arrested the couple in Honeysuckle a week following the alleged stabbing after a homicide investigation was launched.

All three were known to each other.

In Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) told the court the charge of accessory after the fact to murder had been withdrawn against Coughlan, while a charge of hindering the discovery of evidence remained.

Coghlan did not appear, and her solicitor indicated pleas were likely on her next appearance, before an adjournment date was sought for December.

The charge of murder remains against Conway.