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A 35-year-old man has been charged with the alleged murder of Erica Hay, a mother-of-four who was found dead after a house fire in Perth’s south.
Police were called to Currie Street in Warnbro early on Friday morning to find a home engulfed in flames.
A man was seen on CCTV walking towards neighbours, emerging from the backyard cradling a three-year-old girl.
Hay was found dead inside by police in the back bedroom.
Police confirmed today a 35-year-old Warnbro man has been charged with murder and one count of criminal damage by fire.
“It will be alleged; sometime between 7.30am and 1am, the accused physically assaulted the victim at their shared home,” police said.
“It will be further alleged, the accused set the property alight while the victim was still inside.
“The accused fled the property with the victim’s three-year-old child who was subsequently conveyed to Rockingham Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.”
Tributes flowed for the much-loved mother-of-four in the days following her death.
Hay’s lifelong friend, Amanda Broad, remembered her as the girl she’s known since primary school in Kalgoorlie.
“I’ll never get over her smile and her laugh, she was the goofiest person you’d ever meet,” Broad told 9News.
Hay’s friends say they feared something was wrong in the week before her death.
Broad told 9News Hay had reached out to her, texting her for help but the expectant mum forgot to text back.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
