State Crime Command's Homicide Squad have taken carriage of the investigation into the murder of a 45-year-old woman and assault of a child in Sydney's south-west last week.
About 10.30pm on Thursday 17 April 2025, police were called to a home in Bankstown following reports of a kidnapping.
Officers attached to Bankstown Police Area Command arrived and were told a group of unknown people had forced their way into home before kidnapping a 45-year-old woman.
During the incident police were told the kidnappers – who were armed with a firearm – assaulted an eight-year-old boy with a baseball bat before forcing the woman into an SUV.
The boy was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for serious head injuries before being taken to hospital for further treatment.
A 15-year-old boy who was also in the home at the time was taken to hospital for assessment.
Both boys remain in hospital under police guard, with the younger boy expected to suffer lifelong complications as a result of his injuries.
About 11.30pm, emergency services were called to Welfare Avenue in Beverley Hills, following reports of a car fire.
Fire and Rescue NSW crews extinguished the blaze; however, the vehicle was destroyed.
Following an examination of the vehicle, police located the body of what is believed to be the 45-year-old woman inside.
A crime scene was established at both locations and officers from Bankstown Police Area Command – with the assistance of detectives attached to State Crime Command's Homicide Squad and Campsie Police Area Command – commenced Strike Force Bushfield to the investigate the incident.
That matter has since been formally referred to the Homicide Squad.
Inquiries have established the woman and children were likely targeted as a result of her partner's involvement with an Organised Criminal Network (OCN) based in Victoria.
On Saturday 19 April 2024, Victoria Police executed a search warrant at an alleged drug lab in Springdallah, where police located and seized items consistent with the manufacture of prohibited drugs.
As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
