Man charged with stabbing Hobart shopkeeper

A 34-year-old has been charged with murdering a popular shop owner in her North Hobart grocery.

Voula Delios with her son Michael Delios, in the A and B foodstore in North Hobart in 2003.

A 34-year-old man has been charged with the stabbing murder and aggravated armed robbery of a popular North Hobart shop-keeper.

Daryl Royston Wayne Cook did not enter a plea when he appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court earlier today, charged with the murder of supermarket owner Voula Delios, 68, at her North Hobart Grocer store on Saturday afternoon.

Ms Delios, described as a well-liked and vibrant owner of a “local institution”, was allegedly attacked with a knife about midday on Saturday, and died of her injuries in the Royal Hobart Hospital a short while later.

Mr Cook, a tall bald man, appeared at an after-hours sitting of the Magistrates Court earlier today​ and replied ‘yes’ when asked if he understood the charges against him.

Bail was not sought and he will appear in court again tomorrow morning. Tasmania Police, who have won widespread praise for making a quick arrest in a case that has shocked Hobart, would not comment further.

Friends and customers yesterday described Ms Delios as a friendly lady who had been a well-known and liked shop owner on North Hobart’s café and restaurant strip along Elizabeth Street for several decades.

“She was such a lovely lady and these are events are so brutal,” said John Kelly, owner of the nearby State Cinema. “The place is something of a local institution; open most days of the year and they work long hours.

“We’ve never had a murder like this in North Hobart before. This probably North Hobart’s darkest day.”

Floral tributes have begun to be placed at the shop, which is cordoned off as a police forensics team continues its work.