Cobram Woman’s Death: Man Previously Acquitted of Toddler Murder Arrested
Police have arrested a 39-year-old Cobram man in connection with the suspicious death of Emma Bates, 49. The man, identified as John Torney, was previously acquitted of murdering a toddler in Mildura in 2015.
Bates was found dead in her home on Campbell Road on Tuesday afternoon. Police believe she was the victim of a violent assault. Torney was arrested on Wednesday, and homicide squad detectives are investigating.
No charges have been laid as of yet. Police have confirmed that the suspect and victim were known to each other.
Torney was accused in 2015 of murdering his partner’s daughter, Nikki Francis Coslovich, who was two years old. Her body was found in a roof cavity. Torney admitted to hiding the child’s body in the roof but claimed that it was her mother, his ex-partner Peta-Ann Francis, who had killed her. She was not charged. Torney was subsequently found not guilty of the toddler’s death.
The arrest of Torney has sent shockwaves through the Cobram community. Bates was described as a caring neighbor and a warm and loving person. Her death has sparked outrage and concern over the rising number of violence against women in Australia.
Bates is the 26th woman to be killed in Australia so far this year, according to a tally from research group Counting Dead Women Australia. The recent spate of killings of women has prompted calls for urgent action to address the issue.
Premier Jacinta Allan has condemned the violence and called for governments and the broader community to work together to improve support and protection for women. She emphasized the need to challenge disrespect and call out wrongdoings to prevent further tragedies.
