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Courtney Herron: Melbourne woman killed in 'horrendous bashing' | Courtney Herron: Melbourne woman killed in 'horrendous bashing' |
(about 20 hours later) | |
The brutal killing of a young, homeless woman has renewed discussion in Australia about violence against women. | The brutal killing of a young, homeless woman has renewed discussion in Australia about violence against women. |
The body of Courtney Herron, 25, was found in a Melbourne park by walkers on Saturday, police said. | The body of Courtney Herron, 25, was found in a Melbourne park by walkers on Saturday, police said. |
"She died as a result of a horrendous bashing - that's the only way to describe it," said Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper. | "She died as a result of a horrendous bashing - that's the only way to describe it," said Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper. |
Police have arrested a 27-year-old homeless man. Henry Hammond appeared in court on Monday charged with murder. | Police have arrested a 27-year-old homeless man. Henry Hammond appeared in court on Monday charged with murder. |
His lawyer told the court he had some mental health issues. Mr Hammond was remanded in custody following his brief court appearance. His next trial hearing is in September. | His lawyer told the court he had some mental health issues. Mr Hammond was remanded in custody following his brief court appearance. His next trial hearing is in September. |
Ms Herron's death has sparked a wave of public grief and anger following a number of similar cases in Melbourne in the past year. | Ms Herron's death has sparked a wave of public grief and anger following a number of similar cases in Melbourne in the past year. |
Her body was discovered just a short distance from another inner-city park, where comedian Eurydice Dixon died last June. A man who was not known to her is on trial for rape and murder. | |
What have police said? | What have police said? |
Police believe Ms Herron was attacked in Royal Park in the suburb of Parkville early on Saturday, and attempts made to conceal her body. | Police believe Ms Herron was attacked in Royal Park in the suburb of Parkville early on Saturday, and attempts made to conceal her body. |
Police described it as a "particularly horrendous attack". Initial post-mortem results showed no evidence of sexual assault. | Police described it as a "particularly horrendous attack". Initial post-mortem results showed no evidence of sexual assault. |
Det Insp Stamper said Ms Herron's family was "heartbroken". Their daughter had experienced mental health and drug abuse problems and she had only "sporadic contact" with her family, he said. | Det Insp Stamper said Ms Herron's family was "heartbroken". Their daughter had experienced mental health and drug abuse problems and she had only "sporadic contact" with her family, he said. |
In recent times she was believed to have been "couch surfing with friends and possibly rough sleeping as well," said Det Insp Stamper. | In recent times she was believed to have been "couch surfing with friends and possibly rough sleeping as well," said Det Insp Stamper. |
'This is about men's behaviour' | 'This is about men's behaviour' |
Addressing media on Sunday, Assistant Police Commissioner Luke Cornelius said Melbourne was a safe city but men's attitudes towards women needed to change. | Addressing media on Sunday, Assistant Police Commissioner Luke Cornelius said Melbourne was a safe city but men's attitudes towards women needed to change. |
"Violence against women is absolutely about men's behaviour," he said. | "Violence against women is absolutely about men's behaviour," he said. |
The premier of Victoria state, Daniel Andrew, made a similar statement saying: "This is not about the way women behave... this is most likely about the behaviour of men." | The premier of Victoria state, Daniel Andrew, made a similar statement saying: "This is not about the way women behave... this is most likely about the behaviour of men." |
He has previously blamed sexist attitudes in the wake of other killings. In January, 21-year-old Israeli Arab student Aya Maasarwe was allegedly attacked by a stranger while walking home. | He has previously blamed sexist attitudes in the wake of other killings. In January, 21-year-old Israeli Arab student Aya Maasarwe was allegedly attacked by a stranger while walking home. |
The UN has said violence against women in Australia is "disturbingly common", but experts say it is not an outlier among developed nations. | The UN has said violence against women in Australia is "disturbingly common", but experts say it is not an outlier among developed nations. |
According to government figures, one in five women, and one in 20 men, have experienced sexual violence or threats since the age of 15. | According to government figures, one in five women, and one in 20 men, have experienced sexual violence or threats since the age of 15. |
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