Rushcutters Bay murder charge: Couple couch surfing in lead-up to fight

A hairdresser and his boyfriend were couch surfing at a friend’s house when they had an alleged argument that turned fatal.

Police have set up a crime scene around the unit block as they investigate. Picture: Richard Dobson

A hairdresser and his boyfriend were couch surfing at a friend’s house when they went into the underground carpark of a unit block and had an alleged argument that turned fatal.

Phillip Papaefthymiou, 42, faced Central Local Court on Thursday charged with one count of murdering his partner Christopher Stanmore, 39, a day earlier in Rushcutters Bay.

Phillip Papaefthymiou at Kings Cross police station. Picture: 7NEWS

Phillip Papaefthymiou, 42.

NSW Police allege about 1.50pm on Wednesday the pair came to blows in the basement of the building where they had been staying for the past few weeks.

Papaefthymiou appeared in court via video link from Surry Hills Police Station with serious swelling and bruising under his left eye.

Police at the scene at Kings Cross Rd, Rushcutters Bay where a man was found critical injured. He later died. Picture: Richard Dobson

He spent part of Wednesday night in St Vincent’s Hospital under police guard where he received treatment for his injuries, before being taken to Kings Cross Police Station where he was charged.

His barrister Paul Bodisco did not apply for bail but said Papaefthymiou would be pleading not guilty and that he would be seeking his release when the matter returns to court on May 20.

Police at the scene at Kings Cross Rd, Rushcutters Bay where a man was found critical injured. He later died. Picture: Richard Dobson

It is understood Papaefthymiou and Mr Stanmore had been on the verge of homelessness when they were taken in by their friend just a few weeks ago.

Police allege the two lovers had an argument which they decided to take out of the apartment and down to the privacy of the carpark.

Minutes later, Papaefthymiou returned upstairs and allegedly told the man they were staying with that there had been a fight.

Police on the scene.

Police on the scene.

When the pair went back downstairs — with the man they were staying with wearing only a towel — Mr Stanmore was allegedly lying unconscious on the floor.

As part of their investigations NSW Police made a forensic procedure application to take a DNA sample from Papaefthymiou.

Magistrate Clare Farnan said that would also be determined next Thursday when the matter returns to court.