Police allege man killed wife inside home on idyllic Sydney street
A family has been shattered by the horrific alleged domestic violence death of Erlinda Songcuan, 69, at her idyllic suburban home in Sydney’s west. Her 73-year-old husband Engracio faced court on Sunday charged with murder.
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A family has been shattered by the horrific alleged domestic violence murder inside an idyllic suburban home in Sydney’s west.
The children of 69-year-old Erlinda Songcuan, who was allegedly killed by her husband on Saturday afternoon, are now wondering what exactly happened in the final moments of her life.
Police were called to Woodcroft on Saturday afternoon for a welfare check.
The manicured lawns and large houses in the quiet western Sydney estate are a far cry from the horror police found inside the Timbaram Way home.
Ms Songcuan was already dead in the garage but police are not releasing further details of exactly what transpired inside.
The nature of her injuries are not yet clear either. The Daily Telegraph understands they are currently deemed “non-specific” by investigators.
A crime scene was set up as forensic officers and the police helicopter was called in.
Security cameras from the neighbours’ homes captured two crews of paramedics and multiple police officers converging at the scene.
But Mrs Songcuan’s husband, Engracio, was not at the home when police arrived.
Officers quickly found his car at Blacktown train station but he was not with the vehicle.
They arrested him about 3.30pm at Richmond train station and charged him with murdering his wife in a domestic violence incident between 1.08pm and 1.14pm on Saturday, approximately the time police said they were called to the home.
Songcuan did not face Parramatta Bail Court when his matter was called on Sunday morning. He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.
The couples’ son-in-law told media the Songcuans’ children were still coming to terms with the grief.
“They’ve lost both parents at this stage,” he said.
He said the family had no answers and were trying to piece together what happened.
Another car carrying distraught relatives arrived at the home minutes later and filed inside.
And then another car arrived moments later and two grieving family members strolled down the street, heads bowed, past children playing in a nearby front yard.
“It’s nice here, people just keep to themselves,” one neighbour said before his young daughter chimed in, “it’s peaceful”.
Mrs Songcuan’s social media accounts show what friends call the “lovely couple” posing for a picture in a park, in gardens, at functions, alway smiling broadly.
One friend congratulated them on their 44th wedding anniversary at the beginning of this year.
Songcuan celebrated his 73rd birthday last week.
Neighbours said he worked in construction and online profiles suggest he worked n accounts in that industry.
He is due to return to court this week.