Bhanu Kirkman wanted by police investigating new mum’s death

POLICE have released a photo of a man in relation to the death of a new mum who was found murdered inside her home.

POLICE investigating the death of a woman found dead inside her home with a small baby nearby want to speak to a man over the case.

Detectives are searching for Bhanu Kirkman, who is also wanted on an outstanding warrant.

Police are urging anyone who sees the 29-year-old not to approach him but to contact Triple Zero immediately.

Kristie Powell, 39, was found dead inside her bedroom by a friend in her NSW home early Friday morning, with her five-month-old baby boy sleeping nearby.

A spokeswoman for NSW Police said Ms Powell had suffered extensive injuries from a sharp object to the head and upper body. Police are treating the death as a homicide.

Police said they believed Kirkman could help with their investigation.

He is described as being of Indian and Sub-Continental appearance, about 180cm to 185cm tall, with a large build and black hair.

Police have released these photos of Bhanu Kirkman.

The 29-year-old is also wanted on an outstanding warrant.

He is known to frequent the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Sydney areas using the train network.

Kirkman’s outstanding arrest warrant relates to a number of offences including, fraud, resist officer in the execution of duty, possess prohibited drug, and custody of a knife in a public place.

Ms Powell was a well-known volunteer and dog foster carer for Wollongong Animal Rescue Network, a job that had landed her in hot water with the local council.

In February 2015, Ms Powell vented on social media about complaints that had been received regarding her dogs.

“If you have an issue with me come and see me and speak to me directly and that way I can fix the issue instead of dobbing on me and trying to get me into trouble, you little coward,” Ms Powell wrote.

Kristie Powell gave birth to baby boy in May. Picture: Facebook

In another message, she encouraged the person who made the complaint to come over and help out.

“Cheers and a huge thank you to the lovely person who has nothing better to do with their time but complain about me to Wollongong Council. I’m so sorry my business and earning of income is such a detriment to you!!” she wrote.

“If you have so much time on your hands come past my place I have heaps of things to do! I’m happy to share or maybe you should donate some of your time and volunteer to a charity like I do with about 30 per cent of my time! Get a life tosser!”

When asked about her social media posts, Inspector Ainsworth said: “Facebook reviews will form part of our investigation.”

A woman who also worked as a dog foster carer for a number of years told news.com.au Ms Powell regularly spoke about her dogs annoying neighbours and how it caused the new mum a great deal of stress.

A number of dogs were staying at the Bellambi home and an RSPCA worker took the pets away earlier today.

Kristie Powell claims to have had a stalker in her Facebook posts. Picture: Facebook

Ms Powell said she searched 22 years for a life partner. Picture: Facebook

Police are treating the death as suspicious. Picture: Facebook

Ms Powell’s Facebook page documents how she searched for 22 years for a partner to have children with, but gave up and decided to try for her “very own perfect little prince”.

“So after 22 years of dating & meeting many many many suitors that didn’t suit I’m excited to announce that I’m now making my very own perfect little prince who will love me & stay with me forever … (who) is due to join the world in a few months time,” she wrote.

“I can’t thank my beautiful family & friends enough for their ongoing loving & encouraging support! I wouldn’t be able to do this without you!”

In May she wrote expressed her joy at giving birth to a baby boy.

“Last night at 9:26pm I officially became a Mummy!” she wrote. “He is my perfect prince now & forever more. I can’t wait for everyone to meet him. We are both doing very well & hope to be home ASAP.”

Just days later she updated her friends and family to say she was back home after some initial health concerns.

“After some initial health concerns & mummy having a mini meltdown in the hospital my little … prince & I have finally made it home!!” he said. “ … so happy to be home & starting our new life adventure together. I’m so in love with my little man.”

Police say the 39-year-old woman’s death is being treated as suspicious after her body was found inside the house on Lorking Street in Bellambi in the early hours of Friday morning.

A spokeswoman for NSW Police said a visitor discovered the body about 1.10am and called emergency services.

Police say the death is suspicious. Picture: John Grainger

A manhunt has begun for a suspected killer. Picture John Grainger

The woman was found with serious injuries. Picture: John Grainger

Detective Inspector Ainsworth said the woman was found with a “significant amount of blood” on her.

“There was definite signs of physical injury to her,” he said.

“We’re treating it as a homicide, no doubt, we are looking for a perpetrator that’s committed that crime.

“We will do a canvass, (we have) obtained CCTV from nearby residents and businesses. We will go through that and hopefully, our investigation bears fruit.”

He added police did not yet have a cause or time of death.

“We will have to wait for the post-mortem results, the crime scene examination, the whole lot,” he said.

Neighbours have described their shock at the dramatic scenes unfolding in the quiet suburb this morning.

One told the Daily Telegraph some in the local community had nicknamed her “the dog lady” as she would take care of stray dogs.

“(It’s a) pretty quiet, nice area. The only people that come down here, live here,” another told Nine News.

Others told Fairfax they’ve seen the woman walking in the street with a pram and expressed shock at being woken by police in the early hours to say she had been killed.

Police are on scene in Bellambi after the body of a 39-year-old woman was found in a home with serious injuries. Her five-month-old son was also discovered in the home - he is thankfully unharmed. More details to come. @TheTodayShow @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/mjZQGn2m3a

— James Wilson (@WesternWilson9) October 4, 2018

Officers from the Wollongong Police District are forensically examining the house.

No one has been arrested over the death.

The child was taken to hospital and is now in the care of his grandparents.

Detectives have yet to speak to the child’s father, but a NSW Police spokesman confirmed they had spoken to family members and neighbours so far.