The Northern Rivers community is in shock after Sarah Miles,aged in her 40s,was allegedly killed by her male partner in the third fatal case of domestic violence in the Richmond Police District this year.
Miles’ son Shayden remembered her as “a very strong person,a fighter always to the end”,but said his horror was compounded by knowing how long police took to respond.
Sarah Miles was remembered as a “very strong person” and a “fighter” by her son.Supplied
“Words cannot describe the pain that I’m feeling at the moment,” he toldNine News.
“It’s not just a loss. It’s also dealing with the fact that she was waiting for an hour on the floor. That is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
Dwayne John Creighton,31,faced court in Lismore on Sunday,charged with the murder of Miles at a home in Casino on Saturday after police allege that they found her with head injuries and signs of physical assault.
Police have addressed the media after a critical incident investigation was launched after a man has been arrested after a woman’s body was located in the state’s north this morning.
Creighton did not apply for bail and it was formally refused. He will reappear in court on Monday.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna launched a critical incident investigation into why it took to a triple-zero call to the house where Miles lay dying.
The horrific incident will put further pressure on the Minns government and NSW Police to protect victims of domestic violence,as come into force on Monday to help address the national crisis.
The state member for Clarence,Richie Williamson,whose electorate covers Casino,said an angry community was demanding answers.
“I was in Casino yesterday and there is a very genuine feeling of great sadness and disbelief that this has happened again in our area,” he said.
The scene in Casino on Saturday afternoon.Ness Kerton
The increasing number of domestic violence killings in the Richmond Police District,which covers Casino,Lismore and Ballina,has become the focus of national attention.
In May,two-year-old James Harrison,who also took his own life,in nearby Lismore. Harrison had been put under an interim apprehended domestic violence order in July last year after Rowan’s mother has made a complaint against him.
In Ballina in January,Lindy Lucena,64,was allegedly murdered by her partner Robert Karl Huber after breaching an apprehended violence order.
“The community wants to know:[was Creighton] known to police,does he have prior domestic violence charges against him,and was he on bail,” Williamson said.
Williamson,who spoke with senior police officers during the early stages of the investigation on Saturday,said he understood that the call may have been logged as a lower-priority incident than it should have.
In the local government area of Richmond,which includes Casino,the increase in domestic violence assaults over the past decade is more than three times the state average rise - 5.2 per cent per year compared to 1.7 per cent respectively,data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research shows.
There was one alleged domestic violence murder in the local government area in the 12 months to March 2024,and two alleged domestic violence murders the 12 months prior,the data shows.
NSW Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said the community was reeling,and it was critical that critical incident investigation be done expeditiously,independently and reported publicly.
“Tomorrow coercive control behaviour is criminalised and this is welcome as domestic violence starts with this behaviour:bad name calling,put downs,monitoring phones and friends,dictating where to go,who to meet,what to wear and physical and mind control,” Saffin said.
“It is not okay to abuse/damage those you profess to love and our society has to do better and not accept this behaviour anywhere at anytime.”
For almost an hour police failed to acknowledge a triple zero call made shortly after 1.30am on Saturday after neighbours heard a woman screaming inside the Casino house.
When police officers responded at 2.25am,it took them two minutes to arrive at the home where Miles was unconscious but still breathing.
Officers called an ambulance,but her condition deteriorated. Miles died at the scene.
Minister for Police Yasmin Catley said her thoughts were with the woman’s family and friends.
Catley said the critical incident investigation would be overseen by the independent Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and the NSW Coroner would also investigate.
“The NSW Police Force&NSW Government take domestic violence extremely seriously – it’s one of their top priorities,” Catley said.
If you or anyone you know needs support,you can contact the National Sexual Assault,Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732),Lifeline 131 114,or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.