A Sydney man has faced court over a double murder after he allegedly stabbed his former partner to death and left her new partner critically wounded on the footpath before dumping a knife at a petrol station and handing himself in to police.
Anaseini Waqavuki, 38, was found dead in the kitchen of her home on Illabo Street, Quakers Hill after having suffered multiple stab wounds. Emergency services were called to the home just before 5am on Sunday following reports of a disturbance.
A 30-year-old man was found on the footpath having also suffered stab wounds to his stomach and hands. He was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition, but died about 9am.
Anare Vunitabua, 47, was arrested on arrival at Blacktown Police Station at about 5.30am on Sunday, and charged with two counts of murder that evening.
Investigators believe Vunitabua was previously in a relationship with Waqavuki.
“At this stage, it would appear to be a domestic violence incident,” said Superintendent Jason Joyce from Riverstone Police Area Command.
Vunitabua was known to police and was refused bail.
His matter was briefly heard in the local court on Monday, where he did not apply for bail, and it was formally refused. He will next face court via audiovisual link from custody on February 26.
Neighbour Wayne Spalding said the woman always seemed happy and waved to him when he walked his dog past her home on the corner of Illabo Street.
Spalding said the man was quieter but would often sit out on the balcony.
“They seemed like a normal, happy family … they never really caused any trouble other than having a party when they could,” Spalding said.
“It’s shocking. I would never think that would happen here … it’s really quiet – we’re all working-class people.”
Another witness told Nine News he heard about four “wordless screams of fear” early on Sunday morning.
Crime scenes were established at the home of the suspect, Liverpool Hospital, the Quakers Hill home and a nearby service station where a knife – believed to be the murder weapon – was found.