Albany murder investigation becomes double homicide as the son of victim dies in Royal Perth Hospital

The son of a woman found murdered in her Albany unit last month has died after spending weeks in an induced coma, with their grieving family issuing a desperate plea for those responsible to come forward. The 50-year-old man, now revealed to be Lloyd Mitchell, and his 69-year-old mother, Erica Coyne, were involved in a tragic incident on the afternoon of February 8 at a Spencer Park residence. On Friday it was confirmed by police that the case is now as a double murder investigation following Mr Mitchell’s death in hospital, more than a fortnight after the shocking incident. Police found Ms Coyne dead in her Burville Street unit just after 3pm, and arrested Mr Mitchell, who had also sustained life-threatening injuries. He was transferred to Royal Perth Hospital that evening as a priority one patient where he was placed in an induced coma in the intensive care unit. It is understood he was seen by a neurosurgeon for what is believed to be a critical head injury before a decision to turn his life support off was made on February 28. It is understood Mr Mitchell turned 51 while in RPH before his death. Police have reassured the community there is no information to suggest there is an ongoing risk to the community but believe the person or person’s responsible are out there. “This is an unimaginable loss for the victims’ loved ones, and our detectives are determined to uncover every fact and hold whoever is responsible to account,” Det. Sen. Sgt Steve Cleal from homicide squad said. “Someone in the community knows something, and we are asking them to come forward. “Any piece of information, big or small – no matter how insignificant you think it is – could lead us to the answers the victims’ family deserves.” More to come.