Benjamin Coman fronts court, accused of killing pregnant mum Michelle Darragh
The estranged partner of a pregnant mum whose lifeless body was found by her dad has appeared in court.
A man accused of murdering his pregnant ex-partner sat silently as his matter was heard in court.
Benjamin Coman has been charged with the murder of Michelle Darragh, whose lifeless body was found by her father at a Bayswater North home in Melbourne in October last year.
The mother of two was expecting her third child when she was killed, allegedly at the hands of her estranged partner Mr Coman.
He was also found with life-threatening injuries and was rushed to hospital before he was charged with murder.
Dressed in his prison greens and sporting a long, dark beard, the 39-year-old sat silently as he appeared via video link in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The matter was adjourned for six weeks while the defence seeks a mental health screening for the accused.
A neighbour had earlier told NCA NewsWire that Ms Darragh’s father made the tragic discovery inside the Bayswater North home.
He had dropped in to check on her after growing concerned that she hadn’t returned home earlier that afternoon.
The neighbour said he first learnt of the tragedy when he wandered outside about 7.30pm and found Ms Darragh’s mum crying and screaming.
Ms Darragh and Mr Coman had recently separated after five years together and she had reportedly returned to the house that Saturday afternoon to collect some belongings.
The matter will return to court on May 9 before it is fast-tracked to the Supreme Court.