The boyfriend of a woman allegedly killed in a Melbourne home over the weekend has been charged with murder.
Nikkita Azzopardi, 35, was found dead in a South Morang home yesterday morning after concerned family members went to check on her.
Her boyfriend of two years, Joel Micallef, was arrested at the scene and was taken to hospital, where he is understood to be undergoing a medical assessment.
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He was charged with one count of murder from his bedside this afternoon.
Micallef was remanded in custody to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
The Reid Street townhouse remained an active crime scene for most of the day as police investigated how and when the 35-year-old was killed.
Her brother, Shaun Azzopardi and family members returned this afternoon to pick up Ms Azzopardi’s car and belongings.
Mr Azzopardi made the horrific discovery yesterday when he broke into the home after she didn’t show up to a family barbecue and hadn’t been heard from since Saturday.
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Ms Azzopardi is the 71st woman killed in Australia this year.
“I never thought it would happen in this area because it’s a very, very quiet area, very quiet,” neighbour Con Oppolito told 9News.
“I’ve lived here for nearly 10 years and I never thought this would happen in my street.”
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