Homicide Squad detectives charged a Norlane man with murder on Tuesday, following the death of Waurn Ponds mother-of-two Raichele Galea last year.
Travis Wills, 21, appeared in Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday afternoon on charges of murder, attempted armed robbery and perjury.
Ms Galea died on 30 June, 2017, after leaving work at a South Geelong recycling plant for the last time about 9.30pm.
About 30 minutes later emergency services attended a unit on Matthews Road, Corio, following reports a woman had been assaulted.
Ms Galea was visiting the unit when she was repeatedly stabbed.
Attempts were made to revive Ms Galea but the 44-year-old died at the scene.
Detectives alleged Mr Wills had been trying to rob Ms Galea during the incident and later lied to cover his involvement in her death.
“It’s believed several people were at the property on the night and the investigation remains ongoing,” a police spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The magistrate remanded Mr Wills in custody to reappear in court on 6 July.
The arrest comes after homicide detectives last September appealed for anyone who knew what went on inside the unit to come forward.
At the time Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Colbert described Raichele, who had two adult children, as troubled but hardworking at the time of her death.
“Raichele was a caring person,” he said. “Her employer tells us she was very conscientious in her work.
“She had some troubles with drugs at various times and some relationship problems but they’re challenges … that many people face.
“She … didn’t deserve to meet this tragic end.”
Originally police believed two people were at the property at the time of the stabbing but an investigation indicated three others left before officers arrived.
“We’re open to whether there could have been more,” Det Sen Sgt Colbert said.
Detectives interviewed a 45-year-old woman and a 43-year-old woman, both from Corio, on the night.
Police later spoke to three more people, two males and a female, in relation to the incident.
Det Sen Sgt Colbert said police knew each of the five and Raichele to “varying degrees” prior to the incident.
All five provided different accounts to police about what occurred inside the property at the time of Raichele’s death, he said.
Police urged anyone with information to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Related stories:
geelongindy.com.au/indy/2018-01-30/murder-charge-over-mothers-death/
geelongindy.com.au/indy/2017-09-06/police-need-help-on-murder-case/
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