A mother-of-three has been found dead in a Taren Point car park on the same day she was due in court for a legal stoush with her estranged husband.
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The body of Comrie Cullen, 39, was found in a pool of blood in a secluded car park at the St George and Sutherland Shire Anglers Club on Wednesday afternoon.
Ms Cullen, who was born in Northern Ireland, was found lying next to a white car after emergency services responded to a call that a woman had had her throat slashed.
Police on Thursday would only say that the part-time beauty therapist had suffered ‘‘traumatic’’ upper body injuries.
When police arrived they found Ms Cullen’s estranged husband, Christopher Cullen, 50, in nearby mangroves. He was taken to hospital with injuries to his chest and wrists that police say were consistent with being self-inflicted.
Mr Cullen remains in hospital under police guard.
Superintendent Gregory Antonjuk said the Cullens had been married for about 15 years and had three children, aged 5, 7, and 11.
But the marriage had broken down in October last year and in November Ms Cullen, who had moved out of the family home at Sylvania Waters and most recently was living in Sutherland, had successfully taken out an apprehended violence order against her husband.
Superintendent Antonjuk said there had been further reported incidents between the pair after that date.
He would not speculate whether the pair had arranged to meet at the Anglers Club, but court documents show the pair were due in Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday morning.
Mr Cullen’s company, Cullens Carpentry Specials, had taken Ms Cullen to court over a small claims dispute.
A number of items have been collected from the crime scene for examination and a post-mortem examination is being conducted.
Superintendent Antonjuk said it had been distressing for police.
‘‘I have spoken with the investigators and staff, and obviously with the circumstances of yesterday afternoon they will be getting counselling,’’ he told reporters.
‘‘It wasn’t the most restful night’s sleep for myself or some of the other senior staff.’’
Relatives of the woman have been contacted in Northern Ireland and the couple’s friends and family are being interviewed for further information.
smh.com.au, with AAP
