Accused denied bail in Sydney dating app murder case
A 51-year-old accused of murdering Sydney woman Nicole Cartwright and dumping her body in a park has been refused bail.
A 51-year-old accused of murdering Sydney woman Nicole Cartwright and dumping her body in a park after the pair met via a dating app will remain behind bars after being refused bail.
Dennis James Pietrobon, formerly of Haberfield in Sydney’s inner west, declined to appear via video link before Parramatta Local Court on Thursday and was remanded in custody.
The court heard he was on a bond when arrested on Wednesday and accused of murdering Cartwright on her 32nd birthday on October 1, 2018.
Mr Pietrobon’s lawyer told the court he had been able to speak to his client for only two to five minutes on Wednesday night before he was taken to Amber Laurel Correctional Centre.
The case was adjourned for eight weeks so police could prepare the brief of evidence. Police allege Cartwright was murdered on October 1 but her body was not dumped until October 3 when a council worker found it wrapped in a bedsheet at Buffalo Creek Reserve in Hunters Hill.
“It’s a cold-hearted act. It’s a callous and heinous criminal act,” Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said on Wednesday.
Cartwright, 32, had severe head injuries and was dragged up to 30m before an attempt was made to conceal her body with leaves and bark. Her hands were bound in front of her.
Her brother, Ben Cartwright, said she was a much-loved sister and daughter. “It’s hard to express in words what our family has been through since Nicole’s death,” he said. “Nicole was very much loved as a sister and daughter; a cherished member of our family. We grieve daily for Nicole and the life she never got to live. We are still struggling to comprehend that she will never be coming home.
“On behalf of our family, we want to thank the community for sharing our appeals for information, and thank those who provided information to the police.
“Thank you also to the NSW Police Force detectives who have supported our family during this time and worked tirelessly to help bring justice for Nicole.”
Additional reporting AAP
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