Maitland: Man charged with murdering his teenage girlfriend
A man charged with murdering his 18-year-old girlfriend in the NSW town of Maitland was heard screaming by neighbours before police arrived and discovered her body inside the house they shared.
Newcastle
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Neighbours of a Maitland man charged with killing his beautiful teenage girlfriend allegedly heard him screaming about “demons” at the time of the killing.
The relationship of 20-year-old Jordan Brodie Miller and his glamorous 18-year-old girlfriend Emerald Wardle was only in its early stages, police said.
But it has now ended in tragedy with Miller charged with murdering Ms Wardle at his parents’ home in Metford early on Saturday morning.
Homicide and local detectives were working to establish what led to the young woman’s death in the quiet suburban street.
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said on Saturday he heard Miller “screaming for help” and “something about demons”.
Police were called to the single storey home about 1.30am after a concerned party called triple-0.
Police allege they found Miller standing immediately outside the home. He was unarmed and was arrested after a short scuffle.
Officers then went inside the house and found Ms Wardle’s body.
Homicide detectives have now been called in to assist in piecing together the events leading to Ms Wardle’s death.
Initial speculation suggested the teen had been strangled but the cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
Sources said the pair had been in a short term relationship and had been living at the address that is owned by Miller’s family.
Social media pictures of Ms Wardle, whose Facebook profile said she attended Maitland Grossman High School, showed her wearing a necklace with a J pendant.
It is understood there has not been any previous contact between authorities and the couple, including no reports of violence or disputes.
The man was taken to Maitland police station where he was charged with murder.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Sunday.
Detective Inspector Ranald Urquhart from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District said the man had been co-operating with police since his arrest.
He appealed for anyone with any information to contact Maitland Police Station or Crime Stoppers.
“Police obviously take alleged domestic violence situation very seriously and I would ask people to report any incidents of domestic violence to the police,” he said.
“Domestic violence can involve people of all ages.”
Ms Miller’s relatives travelled to Maitland from the mid north coast on Saturday after being told of her death.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.