Police have described the alleged murder of a woman in Gunnedah last week as a “traumatic scene” – one of two separate but serious domestic violence incidents in the community on the same day.

Callan Davidson, 29, was charged with murder (domestic violence-related) after a woman’s body was located in Gunnedah last Friday.

Officers attached to Oxley Police District were called to a Henry Street address at 8.20am following reports of a concern for welfare.

On arrival, police located the body of a woman, later believed to be that of Cheryl Davidson.

A crime scene was established and police tape restricted access to a caravan park on Henry Street which was forensically examined by specialist police.

The man was arrested at the scene and taken to Gunnedah Police Station before appearing in court where he was formally refused bail.

The alleged offender appeared in court again on Monday before the matter was adjourned to December 11 for a brief status (committal).

Initial inquiries at the time led police to believe the man and woman were known to each other, however, as the matter is before the courts, no further detail was available at the time of publication.

Ms Davidson’s employer, McLean Care, said staff were “deeply saddened” by the tragic loss of a valued team member.

McLean Care acting chief executive officer Paul Maher said Cheryl was an employee for more than eight years.

“Cheryl brought joy, compassion and a remarkable work ethic to everything she did,” he said.

“The team is deeply saddened by her loss and our heart goes out to Cheryl’s family and the entire community at Gunnedah.”

Mr Maher said McLean Care organised counselling services and leave for affected employees to support them through this difficult time.

Meanwhile, in a separate domestic violence incident in Gunnedah last Friday, a 26-year-old woman was charged after an alleged assault on a 59-year-old man.

Police were called to an O’Keefe Avenue address where the woman was arrested shortly after and conveyed to Gunnedah Police Station.

She was charged with domestic violence-related offences including assault and malicious damage. The woman was released on conditional bail to appear at Gunnedah Local Court on November 6.

NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research show that in 10 years to June 2024, domestic violence-related assaults across the state increased 28.3 per cent (up 2.8 per cent, per year on average), rising in 12 of 13 regional locations.

In the New England North West which includes Gunnedah, the region recorded 1835 domestic violence assaults in 12 months to June 2024 – an increase of 15.8 per cent on the year prior – the highest two-year trend for this type of offence in regional NSW.

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