Cops probe woman’s mysterious death

Police are yet to discover how a woman died after her body was found at a home in northern Victoria despite a man allegedly committing a “serious assault” against her.

Police discovered Emma Bates, 49, on the floor of her Campbell Rd home in the afternoon of April 23 after emergency services were called to the property in Cobram, near the NSW border.

Cobram local John Torney, 39, was arrested the same day and questioned over an incident that occurred prior to Ms Bates’ death.

Police on Wednesday announced that he would be charged with offences including intentionally cause injury and aggravated assault.

Mr Torney has not been charged with Ms Bates’ death.

Cobram Crime Investigation Unit detectives have confirmed their investigation into her death continues.

Police have been unable to determine the 49-year-old’s cause of death despite a post-mortem being carried out.

Detectives are waiting for the results of further testing as part of their ongoing investigation.

Investigators allege the two were “known to each other” and say a further investigation into the exact circumstances of Ms Bates’ death remains ongoing.

Mr Torney was led into the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court shortly before 10am on Friday wearing a khaki jumper.

Prosecutors said the case was expected to proceed as a “straight remand”, with Mr Torney remaining in custody until his next court date.

After asking for a “nutshell” explanation of the allegations, magistrate Peter Dunn was told that Victoria Police allege “at this stage” that Mr Torney caused injury during a serious assault.

According to documents released by the court, Mr Torney is charged with 13 offences, including multiple counts of unlawful assault alleged to have occurred between April 20 and 23.

The documents allege Ms Bates had contacted police for assistance prior to her death.

He faced court this morning and was further remanded to appear again at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on 21 May, 2024.

His lawyer, Kyle McLaughlin, informed the court that his client had additional unrelated matters before the court next scheduled for June.

He asked the court to note that his client was “withdrawing from a drug of dependence”.

Mr Torney was remanded into custody ahead of his next appearance in May.