
This post deals with domestic violence and might be triggering for some readers.
This weekend, Australia lost its 14th woman to domestic violence.
Mackenzie Anderson, a mother, friend and loved one to many, was killed at her home in Mayfield, Newcastle in NSW. Police were called to the apartment block at approximately 10:40pm on Friday night, receiving reports that her ex partner had "broken into her home".
Mackenzie was treated at the scene by paramedics, but died from her significant injuries. She had been stabbed multiple times.
She was 21 years old.
Watch: Women and violence: The hidden numbers. Post continues below.
At the time of Mackenzie's alleged murder, her three-year-old child was present.
Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey said once officers arrived, Mackenzie was "critically injured".
"Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were called to a home unit, responding to reports a man had broken into the unit. I've just spent the last 20 minutes or so viewing the officers' body worn footage and it was a horrendous scene, horrendous," Superintendent Humphrey said.
As for Mackenzie's child, they are now in the care of relatives. Police have also said the child was found uninjured but "covered in blood".
"It would appear, thankfully, that child is not injured," Superintendent Humphrey said on Saturday.
Also on Saturday, police confirmed that the man who is in custody - Tyrone Thompson aged 22 - is a former partner of Mackenzie's. The three-year-old child is not related to the man in custody. Thompson has been arrested over Mackenzie's death, and although no charges have yet been laid, police said charges "are expected in coming days".
Thompson remains in John Hunter Hospital, being treated for an injury that police say occurred during the alleged murder. An Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) was in place at the time of Mackenzie's death, with Thompson the subject of the AVO. Police also confirmed that Thompson had just recently been released from prison, and was on parole.
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