Man charged with murder of his 88-year-old mother in Fern Bay, Newcastle
Detectives were at the home on Friday morning. (ABC Newcastle: Nakita Jager)
In short:
A 61-year-old man has been refused bail after being charged with the murder of his 88-year-old mother.
The woman's body was found in a home at Fern Bay, north of Newcastle, on Thursday afternoon.
What's next:
The man will front court again in February.
A man has been refused bail after being charged with the murder of his elderly mother.
Police allege Thomas Andrew Tapley, 61, murdered his 88-year-old mother at a home in Fern Bay, north of Newcastle, on Thursday.
Mr Tapley went to the Newcastle police station at 12.30pm that afternoon
Police went to the home on Taylor Road, where they found the woman's body inside.
Superintendent Wayne Humphry said the man was his mother's carer. (ABC Newcastle: Bridget Murphy)
Port Stephens-Hunter Police District Commander, Superintendent Wayne Humphrey, said the woman's body had not been in the house long before Mr Tapley went to the police.
"The male was further interviewed at Newcastle Police Station last night and charged with murder," he said.
"It's a tragic set of circumstances for the family."
Superintendent Humphrey said Mr Tapley was his mother's carer.
"It's not a situation [where] we are alleging domestic violence was a history,"he said.
Mr Tapley appeared in court via video link from Newcastle on Friday morning.
He told the magistrate he did not have or need legal representation.
"You will review the evidence, I will respectfully accept your determination and I will await my judgment,"he said.
"Thanks for your service. I truly hope everything is all well for you and your family," he told the magistrate.
Mr Tapley has been refused bail and will front court again in February.