Police & Court

New charge laid over death of Cobram woman

Dec 17, 2024

Police have laid a new serious charge over the death of a Cobram woman earlier in the year.

A new serious charge has been laid by police over the death of a Cobram woman at her home earlier this year.

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Police charged John Torney, 40, of Cobram, with negligent manslaughter on Friday, December 13, as part of their investigation into the death of Emma Bates.

Ms Bates, 49, was found dead in her home in Campbell Rd, Cobram, on April 23.

Mr Torney had been previously charged with intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, common law assault, aggravated assault of a female and unlawful assault.

In a bail application in October, Cobram Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Kim Sneddon told the court an autopsy found Bates died from diabetic ketoacidosis with a head injury.

The autopsy also found Ms Bates’ injuries were “not from a simple fall”.

The court heard at that bail application that Ms Bates had bruising to both her eyes and a large lump under each of them, a large gash to the top of her head and cuts to her nose and lip.

Mr Torney has been remanded in custody and will appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, December 17.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au