Man Charged With Murder After Woman Found Shot Dead In NSW Hunter Valley Home

A 37-year-old man named Christopher McLoughney has been charged with murder following the discovery of a 39-year-old woman's body with a gunshot wound at a home in Kearsley, Hunter Valley, New South Wales. The arrest occurred after emergency services responded to the home on Friday night and a child reportedly ran to a neighbor's property to seek help. Police found a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition in McLoughney's car when he was taken into custody in Bellbird on Saturday night. He faces additional charges including possessing a prohibited drug and firearm, and was refused bail ahead of his court appearance in Parramatta Local Court. Authorities described the incident as traumatic, particularly for the victim's family and her three children. Investigations continue as the community processes the tragic event.