Lionel Bernard to seek bail as alleged Felixstow murder victim’s cause of death still unknown

The body of a woman allegedly murdered was discovered “some significant period of time” after her death, a court has heard, as her alleged killer flags he’ll make a bid for freedom.

Police and Major Crime Detectives at the scene of an unexplained death on St Margarets Cres, Felixstow SA. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / Emma Brasier

The body of a woman who was allegedly murdered in a suburban Adelaide unit was found “some significant time” after she had passed away, but her cause of death is still unknown, a court has heard.

Lionel Ernst Bernard has been in custody since his arrest in 2023, but on Wednesday morning, his lawyer flagged he’d soon be seeking release on home detention bail.

Mr Bernard, 52, was charged with one count each of murder and manslaughter after police found the body of a woman in a unit in Felixstow in November 2023.

Emergency services were called to a unit block in Felixstow at 1.30pm on November 15, 2023 after the body was found in one of the homes.

Police and Major Crime Detectives removing a wrapped armchair at the scene of an unexplained death on St Margarets Cres, Felixstow in November 2023. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Detectives were seen removing what appeared to be an arm chair wrapped in paper from one of the units, while several other items were taken from the unit in evidence bags.

A week after the incident, APY Lands detectives arrested Mr Bernard in the state’s far north.

On Tuesday, Tim Clarke, for Mr Bernard, asked for the scheduled answer charge hearing be adjourned for a further two months because he’d had trouble obtaining instructions from his client.

Mr Clarke also said he was awaiting further funding to consult with a forensic pathologist, as the woman’s cause of death is still unknown.

“The Director obtained a pathology report in July of last year, which identified that the cause of death is unascertained,” Mr Clarke said.

TPolice and Major Crime Detectives at the scene of an unexplained death on St Margarets Cres, Felixstow. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

The woman’s death still remains a mystery. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / Emma Brasier

“There were then subsequent reports provided in December last year.

“The background is that the deceased was located in a residence in Adelaide and she appeared to have passed away some significant period of time prior to the discovery.

“There are injuries, on the Crown case, that they say caused death, but it is very unclear.”

Chief Magistrate Mary-Louise Hribal agreed to allow more time for Mr Clarke to take instructions, and Mr Bernard will appear in court again in eight weeks when he is expected to answer the charges.

Mr Clarke then flagged his client would likely be making an application to be released from custody in the near future.

“Can I just indicate that my client is interested in seeking home detention bail. It’s not an application I’ll pursue today, we need to obtain an address,” he said.

Originally published as Lionel Bernard to seek bail as alleged Felixstow murder victim’s cause of death still unknown