Cousin charged with Bailey Jones’ murder after police probed witnesses ‘accident’ claims

Two weeks after police were told a South Coast teen died after tripping and falling onto a knife at a party, officers charged his cousin with murder.

Police have broken an alleged cover story from a group of mates and charged a teenager with stabbing his cousin to death, after the men initially told officers the victim tripped and fell on a knife at a party.

Bailey Jones, 18, died at Bomaderry after a get-together a fortnight ago, which witnesses told police ended in tragedy after the teen accidentally stabbed himself.

It is understood that days later investigators moved on from considering the death as a freak accident and uncovered what they allege actually happened that night — and have now charged his cousin with murder.

In the days after Mr Jones’ death, police said: “our eyes are open to all possibilities”.

Dominic Saliba, 20, was arrested at his home on Thursday in a breakthrough in the investigation.

Saliba will spend Christmas in custody after he was refused bail on Thursday.

With a kiss on the cheek from a loved one he was handcuffed and taken into custody, facing Nowra Local Court yesterday.

He will spend Christmas behind bars on remand after his case was adjourned until February.

Tributes have been pouring in for the talented footy player.

His loved ones packed a church for his funeral on Thursday.

Saliba has been charged with murder, possessing an unauthorised firearm and not safely storing a firearm.

The response to the incident began when police arrived at West Birrley St about 7pm on December 9 and found Mr Jones in a serious condition.

He was taken to Shoalhaven Hospital but died a short time later.

On the same day police arrested Saliba, Mr Jones was farewelled at a moving ceremony in Sydney.

Saliba was arrested the same day Mr Jones was farewelled.

A packed church was brought to tears by the funeral, with Bailey’s half-brother Adam Micallef telling his grieving loved ones he would now miss the chance to play rep footy with his sibling.

“In one of our last conversations, Bailey was telling me he wants to come play footy with whatever team I am on next year so that we could play a season together,” Mr Micallef said.

“I will never get that opportunity. I will never play footy with my little brother.”

Tributes have been flowing from the NSW south coast community in the two weeks since Mr Jones died.

“That I can’t call you or see you at family events is already hurting so much,” his cousin wrote on social media.

He was attending a social gathering the night he died.

“You’ve left a hole in my heart that will never go away. Please just come home I don’t want you to be gone, life’s so cruel.

“Will never forget all the times and memories I’ll hold onto tucked away in my heart and your beautiful mum I promise we will be there for her forever cuz.”

His aunt, also paid tribute to the promising young footy player.

“Please look after and watch your mum to give her strength to move on. You will always hold a special place in my heart,” she wrote.

“I loved you more than life. My heart hurts. Love you forever aunty.”

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