Katherine Safranko found dead in Bankstown, son Troy Safranko charged with murder

A man charged over the stabbing death of his mother at Bankstown was granted bail by a court a day earlier after he allegedly tried to choke her.

Police and Forensics on the scene. Photo by:NCA newswire / Gaye Gerard

A man has been charged with murdering his mother following her death at a home in Sydney’s southwest.

Troy Safranko was refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday, where lawyer Mostafa Daoudie told magistrate Glenn Walsh Mr Safranko would not apply for bail. Mr Safranko, who was taken to hospital for health assessment after his arrest, will remain behind bars on remand until he reappears before Burwood court later this month.

Police will allege in court that the 31-year-old stabbed his mother before killing her cat and setting fire to the Bankstown property.

He was charged with murder (DV), torture, beat and causing the death of an animal, destroying property by fire, breach of bail, and contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO.

Earlier, The Daily Telegraph revealed Safranko appeared in Parramatta Local Court on Saturday — a day before the alleged crime — and was granted bail.

Police and forensic officers remained at the crime scene on Monday morning. Picture: NCA newswire / Gaye Gerard

Katherine Safranko, 61, was found unconscious in the backyard of her Wattle St home on Sunday night suffering horrific head injuries, and died at the scene.

Emergency crews had been called to the home after reports of a fire inside the property, when they discovered the critically injured woman.

Police said Mrs Safranko’s son Troy, was located in the driveway of the neighbour’s home, allegedly wielding a knife.

The victim was assessed by paramedics before being declared deceased. Picture: TNV

Officers used a taser to disarm Safranko, before arresting him. He was taken to Bankstown police station before being transferred to hospital for a mental health assessment.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Safranko appeared in Parramatta Local Court on Saturday charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentionally choking a person, after an alleged altercation earlier that day with his mother.

Safranko was granted bail with strict conditions, and due to reappear in court on October 18.

A 67-year-old woman was found dead inside the home on Sunday night. Picture: NCA newswire / Gaye Gerard

A man known to the woman was arrested at the home. Picture: NCA newswire / Gaye Gerard

An apprehended violence order was also taken out in protection of Mrs Safranko, banning her son from going within 100m of her home or workplace.

Mrs Safranko died less than 18-hours later.

Neighbours said it was a shock to learn the much-loved woman had died.

“They tasered him and then he fell on the ground, after that there were a lot of police all over the place,” one man said.

He said he was “sad” to hear about the death of his neighbour, describing her as a “very friendly person” who was involved with Meals on Wheels.

A neighbour said it was a frightening scene. Picture: NCA newswire / Gaye Gerard

He also went on to express his surprise that the incident took place, saying the street is a “quiet place” and there was usually “no trouble at all”.

A spokesperson for NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley said they could not comment on bail laws while the matter was before the courts, but expressed sympathy to the Safranko family.

“The NSW government is saddened to hear of Ms Katherine Safranko’s death and offers condolences to loved ones and community impacted by this tragedy,” they said.

Acting CEO of domestic and family violence support group Full Stop Australia Tara Hunter said the system had to be “overly cautious” when it came to potential family or domestic violence.

“We need to take these issues seriously. It’s about making sure we’re taking into account all factors (and) being overly cautious,” she said.