A woman who was found dead in her home in rural Victoria has been remembered for having the “biggest heart” as her family reveal they “hated” the man facing a string of assault charges over her death.
Emma Bates, 49, was found dead inside her home in Cobram, near the New South Wales border in Victoria’s far north, about 2.15pm on Tuesday, after suffering injuries to her upper body and face.
John Torney, 39, who lived next door, was charged in Ms Bates’ death on Wednesday night with intentionally causing injury, reckless causing injury, common law assault, aggravated assault on a woman and unlawful assault.
Police said the couple knew each other and had been widely reported to be in a relationship.
But the Bates family told WhatsNew2Day Australia they had only known each other for weeks, not months, and that she “hated” him.
Emma Bates (pictured), 49, was found dead inside her home in Cobram, near the New South Wales border in Victoria’s far north, about 2.15pm on Tuesday, after of having suffered injuries to the upper part of the body and face.
John Torney (pictured), 39, who lived two doors down, was charged over Ms Bates’ death on Wednesday night with intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, common law assault, aggravated assault to a woman and unlawful assault.
‘Emma knew what kind of person John was. She hated it,” Bates’ sister Rachel said.
“Somehow we don’t know how he managed to get into her life.”
Rachel paid tribute to her sister and said she did not let her lifelong health problems get in the way of helping others in the Cobram community.
‘She was a type one diabetic, this caused many health complications, she was hospitalized frequently. “She used her scooter to get around,” Rachel said.
‘Despite all her health problems, she had the biggest heart of anyone we know. She was always helping someone.
‘Take food to an elderly neighbor. Carrying people who needed it. The list goes on.’
The family had been in Melbourne supporting Bates’ father, who was receiving medical treatment.
Bates’ sister (pictured), Rachel, said he had “the biggest heart of anyone we know.”
Ms Bates was found dead inside her home (pictured) on Tuesday afternoon.
‘When he returned to Cobram he went to the crime scene at his daughter’s house. “We initially thought she had had a medical problem,” Rachel said.
‘When the police informed us that she was (allegedly) assaulted and left to die, our world was shattered. The life of a beautiful and loving woman has just disappeared. Nothing makes sense.’
Rachel, who did not want to give her last name to protect her parents’ privacy, described her sister in loving terms as the “crazy cat aunt.”
‘She had her rescues that she treated like her babies. “The decoration of her house was completely inspired by cats,” said Mrs. Vella.
‘Emma was not lucky enough to have children, but she was a proud aunt to her 17 nieces and nephews.
‘They were his pride and joy and he spent hours talking about them to everyone. He had many of their faces tattooed on his leg so he could always carry them with him.
‘It is tragic that her big heart led her to befriend a man who (supposedly) wanted to harm her. Nobody deserves that.’
Bates is the 26th woman murdered in Australia this year as the nation grapples with an epidemic of violence against women.
Torney faced an out-of-session court hearing Thursday night.
He will appear at Shepparton Magistrates Court on Friday.
A team of detectives and forensic officers were seen searching Ms Bates’ home for evidence and speaking to neighbors on Wednesday as part of the investigation.
A wheelchair and cat scratcher could be seen unattended in Ms Bates’ driveway as forensic officers searched the property on Wednesday afternoon.
As police came and went through the front door, a wheelchair, a cat scratching tower and an exercise bike could be seen in Ms. Bates’ abandoned covered parking lot.
Her friend Kylie Mizzi, whose parents lived next door to Bates for many years, told WhatsNew2Day Australia she was a “beautiful soul”.
“She always helped my elderly parents and had a big heart, was warm and loving,” he said.
“I’m in total shock that something like this could happen to such a beautiful soul.”