Neighbour says mum allegedly killed by son in Bentley was a ‘quiet lady’, describes distressing screams heard

The woman allegedly stabbed to death by her 16-year-old son was a “good mum” known for her friendly yet quiet demeanour. “She was a quiet lady. She stuck to herself. Did what she had to do within the home for her and her kids,” her neighbour, who did not want to be named, said. Her teenage son faced court on Wednesday charged with murder and attempting to kill after his mum died from stab wounds and his 12-year-old sister was found seriously hurt nearby. He appeared via video link from Banksia Hill Detention Centre and has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance. The incident allegedly unfolded just after 6am Tuesday in a Bentley unit, with the girl fleeing and calling Triple-0 before being found in Albany Highway, Cannington. St John Ambulance paramedics rushed her to Perth Children’s Hospital where she remains in a serious but stable condition. The neighbour recalled hearing screaming shortly 6am on Tuesday. “I went to the toilet, and I thought I could hear sort of screams, but I thought it was cats getting mauled by a dog,” she said. “I was trying to look around, trying to figure out where the screams were coming from. “I couldn’t figure out where the screams were coming from, because I thought it might have been coming from the back fence … but I didn’t realise it was so close.” She explained she had often seen her 35-year-old neighbour and exchange pleasantries. “Any time we were outside, she would say things like ‘hello’ or ‘how are you going?’ or ‘how’s things?’ and we would have talks like that,” she said. The neighbour described her being an attentive and caring mum. “She was a very good mum. She just wanted to try and help, her young boy had a few issues since he was little, so she’s always like trying to help him,” she said. And she was “sad and shocked” to learn what allegedly occurred on Tuesday morning. “You wouldn’t have expected it, because he was a good boy to his mum as well,” she said. “He was probably mischievous like every other youth, you know how they are with their parents. “But he was good. What I’ve seen is always is that respect for her. I mean, they might have had their little shouts every now and again, but he’s pretty good.” As police remained at the home throughout Wednesday morning, the neighbour remembered the mum fondly. “She was a quiet lady. She minded her own business. Never really interacted with many of the neighbours. Just myself and one other neighbour.”