Bourke: Person of interest in alleged murder of Mavis Stanley refused bail on stalking charge

A person of interest in the alleged murder of a woman in the state's west has been charged with threatening another man with a knife the day her body was discovered.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains the name and image of a deceased Indigenous person.

A person of interest in the alleged murder of a woman in the state's west was charged with threatening another man the day her body was discovered.

It is understood the man who was allegedly threatened went to Bourke Police Station to make a statement after learning the 49-year-old person of interest had been brought in for questioning over the death of Wiradjuri woman Mavis Stanley, 47.

It comes after the body of the Wellington mother of two was found outside her home on Parkdale Rd in Bourke shortly after 8am on Tuesday, October 29.

This masthead understands the person of interest, who is from Bourke but cannot be identified, was assisting police with inquiries as he was known to Ms Stanley.

Police confirmed they were called to an address on Parkdale Rd on Sunday night, two days before the gruesome discovery, following reports two men were fighting.

The Stanley family and police have renewed appeals for people to come forward with information.

No offences were identified by police at the time, however, the 42-year-old man made a formal statement to police on Tuesday alleging he had been threatened by the person of interest with a weapon.

He was then charged with stalking and intimidation (domestic-violence related) while police continued to question him about Ms Stanley’s death.

He faced Cobar Local Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded not guilty to the intimidation charge and was refused bail.

The man has not been charged in relation to Ms Stanley’s death, however, an application has been made for an order to carry out forensic procedures.

He will remain behind bars until both matters return to Bourke Local Court on November 7.

Ms Stanley’s death is being treated as a murder with the State Crime Command Homicide Squad called in to assist investigations under Strike Force Akitio.

A crime scene remains active with forensic examinations carried out at the roadside location where Ms Stanley was discovered, as well as inside her home on Parkdale Rd.

A cause of death is also yet to be determined with a post-mortem examination expected to be conducted in the coming days.

Mavis Stanley’s body was discovered on Parkdale Rd in Bourke on Tuesday morning.

A family friend told this masthead Ms Stanley was due to return home to Wellington to care for her sick mother before her body was found stripped naked and abandoned on the roadside.

On Thursday, the Stanley family made a fresh appeal for “anyone with any information to contact Bourke Police and share what you know. It could be small or big but every bit of information is critical and crucial”.

“Mavis was a Mother, Daughter, Sister and Friend to many. She was loyal to those she loved and wouldn’t take a back step for those she loved,” the post read.

“So we ask you don’t take a back step for our beloved Matriarch, you step forward with righteousness, courage and strength to help us bring her the justice she deserves.”

Ms Stanley’s cause of death has not yet been determined. Picture: Facebook

Commander of Central North Police District, Superintendent Gerard Lawson, echoed appeals for information to assist investigators.

“As inquiries continue, detectives are awaiting the outcome of the post-mortem examination to get a clearer idea of the circumstances of the woman’s death,” Supt Lawson said.

“I have spoken with family members, and we are continuing to support them and keep them informed.

“She has been a well-known and respected long-time member of the Bourke community for much of her life, and her death has caused widespread distress.”

Police are asking for anyone with dashcam or mobile phone footage taken at the time and location of the incident to contact Bourke Police Station or Crime Stoppers.