THE partner of a woman charged with the murder of a young woman found dumped under a bridge was also a prime suspect in her death before he killed himself.
The naked body of Marnielee Maree Cave, 26, from Bega, was found dead under the Mogareeka Bridge on the Tathra-Bermagui Road at Tathra about 8.15am on October 14.
A 52-year-old woman was arrested at 9.15 yesterday at a property in Bega and charged with murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Soon after her murder the woman’s partner, who was known to the victim, was questioned by police about his whereabouts when she disappeared.
A few days later on October 22 he was found dead in the garage of a property in Bega. At the time police said he was a person of interest in her murder.
His partner was refused bail and will appear before Batemans Bay Local Court today.
Marnielee was last seen on Monday October 12 at some local shops.
She had also taken her cat to the vet on that day and returned her home before going out again.
Her phone and a number of other possession are still missing.
Police said on October 22 they believed Marnielee may have been thrown off the bridge but were also exploring the possibility she was murdered on the banks of the Bega river.
The only thing on her body was her favourite butterfly pendant.
Police have not revealed the cause of death or if there was any signs of sexual assault.
The investigation took a turn at the end of October when a man police had questioned over Marnielee’s murder himself turned up dead.
The 50-year-old man is believed to have taken his own life after police identified him as a suspect in the murder inquiry.
“The deceased male had been questioned by police and was one of a number of people who were considered suspects in Ms Caves death,’’ a police source said at the time.
Source:perthnow.com.au
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