Man charged with hotel room murder to remain in ICU

A man charged with murder after a woman’s body was found in a hotel room will remain in intensive care, a court has been told.

A man charged with murder after a woman’s body was found inside a hotel room in Sydney’s outer west has been unable to appear in court while he remains under police guard in intensive care.

Darren John Berry, 53, is charged with murder after the body of 50-year-old Shirley So was found at the Pullman Sydney in Penrith on Sunday.

Darren Berry was charged with murder after a woman's body was found in a Sydney hotel. Picture: Facebook

He did not appear before Penrith Local Court on Wednesday when Mr Berry’s Legal Aid lawyer asked for the matter to be adjourned until Monday so that Mr Berry could provide instructions to his solicitors before appearing in court.

“He is still unable to provide instructions or appear in court … He is no longer sedated but is still intubated,” he told the court, referring to the process of inserting a tube into a patient’s mouth.

Mr Berry’s lawyer said his client was expected to remain in the ICU at Westmead Hospital for some time, but police expected he would be able to face court next week.

The body was found inside a Penrith hotel on Sunday. Picture: NewsWire / Tom Parrish

A man has since been charged with murder over the death. Picture: NewsWire / Tom Parrish

Emergency services were called to the hotel on Mulgoa Rd shortly after 1pm on Sunday after Ms So’s body was found in one of the rooms alongside Mr Berry, who was suffering cuts to his arms, according to police.

The 53-year-old was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being flown to Westmead Hospital for further treatment.

Police on Tuesday charged Mr Berry with murder.

He initially faced a bedside hearing that day and was refused bail.

More to come