Woman’s dead body found in pool of blood inside Northcote garage

A man has fronted court on murder charges after a woman’s body was found in a pool of blood in a Northcote garage.

A property in Brickworks Lane is taped off by police as part of the investigation. Picture: Nicki Connolly

A man charged with murder has fronted court for the first time after a woman’s body was found in a pool of blood in a Northcote garage.

Joe Lo Bianco, 52, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday after he was charged over the death of a 51-year-old woman whose body was found by her daughter at the Brickworks Lane property on Wednesday evening.

The Herald Sun understands the woman was Mr Lo Bianco’s wife.

Footage captured by Nine News showed a man looking emotional as he spoke with police in the front yard of the home.

He held what appeared to be a blood-stained cloth as he sobbed.

Mr Lo Bianco made no application for bail during the brief administrative hearing and he was remanded in custody to reappear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on April 14.

A man, believed to be the alleged victim’s husband, speaks with police outside the home. Picture: Nine News

Forensic investigators scour the scene. Picture: Nicki Connolly

His lawyer told the court it was her client’s first time in custody.

The woman was found by her daughter in a pool of blood – some splattered on the wall – with significant injuries to her head.

A blunt weapon is believed to have been used in the alleged attack.

Forensic investigators swarmed the two-storey property where they spent most of Thursday examining both the upper and lower levels of the home.

Police seized the alleged victim’s white Mercedes sedan early Thursday morning.

The woman’s family is understood to have lived in the second unit of the shared duplex.

A male relative was seen leaving the property on Thursday but remained tight-lipped about the death and asked not to be filmed as he left the scene.

Neighbours told the Herald Sun the street was “typically quiet” and no sounds of disturbance came from the property on the evening of the woman’s death.

The woman’s body was reportedly found inside the garage of the home. Picture: Ian Currie

The woman’s body was discovered by her daughter about 8pm on Wednesday. Picture: Ian Currie

A young woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she returned home from a night out to see the dark street lit up by police lights.

“I got home and there was police tape everywhere, I saw the garage door open and a big light,” she said.

The resident of five years was unable to see further into the garage but said everything looked “pretty normal” from a distance.

“The street is usually really peaceful so this is a surprise,” she said.

Detectives were seen combing the property while wooden red chairs, a bin and a double fridge inside the garage were examined.

“Investigators will await the results of a post-mortem on Friday to determine the Northcote woman’s cause of death,” they said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.