Chen Cheng screamed for help before she was allegedly murdered by husband Adam Brown in Croydon North home

New details have emerged of the death of Croydon North mother Chen Cheng, who was allegedly murdered by her Deakin University lecturer husband.

A mother allegedly stabbed to death by her university lecturer husband begged neighbours for help, screaming “he wants to kill me” as she fought to survive.

The Herald Sun can reveal Chen Cheng, 35, was trapped inside her Croydon North home and died near her back gate, which she ran to in a last-ditch attempt to escape her alleged killer, Deakin University academic Adam Brown.

A neighbour who did not want to be named said Ms Cheng screamed “help me, help me” and “call the police, he wants to kill me” as she banged on the inside of her locked front door on Saturday night.

“That’s when she took her chance and ran to the wood door (back gate) and started banging on it but it went quiet,” the neighbour said.

“She was shouting for her life.”

The back gate, which was also locked, was eventually opened and a neighbour desperately tried to save Ms Cheng before paramedics arrived.

Chen Cheng was trapped inside her Croydon North home and died near her back gate.

Deakin University lecturer Adam Brown and Ms Cheng had a dispute over childcare, according to a friend.

The neighbour said Dr Brown, 40, had his hands covered in blood.

“I wish I could have done more,” the neighbour said.

New details of the horrific alleged murder come as the Herald Sun can reveal a dispute over childcare preceded Ms Cheng’s death.

A close friend of Ms Cheng said her husband was not happy that she had returned to work and wanted her home caring for their two-year-old son.

“Her son often cried when she left him at daycare … this didn’t sit well with Adam,” the friend said.

“I think Adam wanted Chen to just full time care for (their son) but she wanted to stay at work.”

It’s understood Ms Cheng had only returned to her building industry job weeks before she was killed.

A close friend of Ms Cheng said her husband was not happy that she had returned to work.

“She always wanted the best for her son and she wanted to go back to work,” the friend said.

“The little fella had only been in daycare for a month.”

The toddler was home at the time of his mum’s alleged murder and was taken in by a neighbour.

It’s understood he is now with family members.

By Wednesday more than a dozen bouquets of flowers had been left outside the family’s Patrick Ave home by grieving loved ones and neighbours.

Left at the memorial site was a note that read, “You will be deeply missed my friend”.

Another read: “Beautiful Chen. May you rest in peace. Gone too soon”.

Neighbour Giselle Grieg laid down flowers on Wednesday afternoon.

The young mum did not know Ms Cheng but said she could not stop thinking of her and her little boy.

The Croydon North the couple shared. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

A tribute for Chen Cheng at the scene. Picture: Wayne Taylor

“Now he doesn’t have either parent. It’s so awful,” she said.

Ms Cheng’s body was discovered about 10.15pm on Saturday.

Dr Brown was taken into custody at the scene, with homicide squad detectives charging him with his wife’s murder almost 40 hours later.

He appeared in court on Monday evening with an injury to his left arm.

The Deakin community continues to be rattled by allegations the senior communications lecturer killed his wife.

Some described him as a mentor, while others said he came across as strange.

Dr Brown is remanded in custody until his next court date on September 13.