A 39-year-old Cobram man, John Torney, has been arrested in connection with the suspicious death of Emma Bates, 49. Torney was previously acquitted of murdering a toddler in Mildura in 2015. Police have confirmed that Bates was the victim of a violent assault and believe that the suspect and victim were known to each other. The arrest comes amid growing concern over violence against women in Australia, with Bates being the 26th woman killed so far this year. Premier Jacinta Allan has condemned the violence and called for urgent action to improve support and protection for women.