A 26-year-old man has been charged with murder following an alleged axe attack at a remote campground in New South Wales. The incident occurred at Little Styx River near Ebor, with the victim later dying from critical head injuries.
Emergency services were called to Thora, about 10km north-west of Bellingen, just after midnight on Monday. They found a 33-year-old man who had died. A female friend, aged 25, told police the victim had been struck in the head with an axe hours earlier while camping. She drove him to Thora for help, but he died before authorities arrived. The woman was treated for bruising to her neck after allegedly being assaulted herself.
Police arrested Ahwen Kohn, 26, near Ebor before midday on Monday. He was taken to Armidale police station and charged with murder, intentionally choking a person with recklessness, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The three individuals were known to each other and had been camping together.
During a bail hearing, Magistrate Miranda Moody noted Kohn had no history of violence but expressed concern over the seriousness of the allegations. 'What is even more concerning is a man with a limited history … would allegedly commit a murder so serious in terms of the facts involving an axe to the deceased,' she said. Bail was refused, and Kohn is next scheduled to appear in court in Armidale on 22 April. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Superintendent Chris McKinnon said police believe an argument preceded the attack, though the motive remains unclear. A crime scene was established at the campground on Point Lookout Road in Ebor, with detectives from the homicide squad assisting under Strike Force Ullmark.
