Tweed Man charged with murder after allegedly stabbing woman to death last night
POLICE were aware of personal issues between the 63-year-old woman stabbed to death in Tweed Heads on Monday night and her accused murderer.
Crime and Court
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POLICE were aware of personal issues between the 63-year-old woman stabbed to death in Tweed Heads on Monday night and her accused murderer.
They were told of the problems hours before she died. The Gold Coast Bulletin cannot detail the circumstances for legal reasons.
Forensic officers remained at the Brett St unit where the Marie Van Beers died for several hours this morning, combing the scene for evidence.
Tweed Byron Police District Superintendent Wayne Starling confirmed police were called to reports of a disturbance about 6.30pm yesterday.
He said police were aware of the man and woman prior to the call out.
On arrival officers found Ms Van Beers unconscious with serious stab wounds.
Not long after police arrived, nurses from the nearby Tweed Hospital rushed to the unit and performed CPR until paramedics arrived.
Paramedics worked on the Ms Van Beers for some time, but sadly she could not be saved and died at the scene.
Paul Thomas Ryan, 64, who was known to the woman, was arrested at the address.
Supt Starling said the man struggled briefly, but was quickly arrested and taken to the Tweed Heads Police Station,
“The man was uncooperative when police arrived,” he said.
“Nurses from the Tweed Hospital attempted to resuscitate the woman... Paramedics also tried to resuscitate the woman, but unfortunately she died at the scene.
“What was really nice for the woman’s family was the nurses did all they could to try to save the woman’s life.
“We also had security come across from the hospital... The scene was horrible for the police that attended, it’s a sad situation and my role is to care for the police that attended.
“Police still have a large number of people to interview. We have forensic experts out at the scene now and we’ve got to look at every possible scenario in the interest of the victim who lost her life.”
Kerryn Frederickson, who lives in a nearby apartment block, said she was having dinner with her family when the incident occurred.
“Because the hospital is just nearby we thought it was someone going mental, you get that all the time,” she said.
“We came out and all we could hear was screaming, really loud, and the cops actually came tearing down the road.
“We saw the cops kick the door in... It’s just sad, no matter what’s going on in your life you never take it out on another person.”
Another neighbour said the man and woman kept to themselves, but would often sit outside their unit, having a drink together.
Police charged the Ryan with one count of murder overnight.
He was due to appear in the Tweed Heads Local Court this morning, but the matter was adjourned due to Ryan being hospitalised for unknown injuries.
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