Russell Lea murder: Benjamin Art, 42, charged with murder after woman was found with her throat cut at home in Sydney’s inner west

A man has been charged with murder after the body of a woman was found in home in Sydney’s inner west.

NSW Police were called to a home on Clements St in Russell Lea, where officers arrived to find the deceased woman, believed to be in her 50s.

She is yet to be formally identified.

Police allege the woman was stabbed to death by her housemate and suffered gruesome injuries, including a cut to her throat.

Benjamin Art, 42, who police confirmed was known to the woman, was arrested at the scene and taken to Burwood Police Station.

A NSW Police statement said he was assisting with inquiries.

Superintendent Christine McDonald told media on Thursday afternoon that police alleged the woman sustained fatal stab wounds and it was ‘very clear it is a homicide’.

Superintendent McDonald said the victim and the 42-year-old man were living together in a share house and the alleged murder would be classified as a domestic violence homicide. 

‘The scene that police arrived to … police arrived to that scene, it is very clear that it is a homicide,’ she said.

‘The victim suffered significant and multiple injuries to her upper body. In relation to the weapon, we’re talking stab wounds, so it is a bladed instrument.’

Police allege the woman was stabbed to death by her housemate and suffered gruesome injuries, including a cut to her throat 

She added the victim and person of interest, who is now assisting the police with their inquiries, were not in an intimate relationship with one another. 

Superintendent McDonald said five people were living in the house and the person of interest moved into the house about three weeks ago. 

A member of the public dialled triple-0 after hearing a woman ‘screaming’ at the address.

The call was made at 11.07am and police were on scene at 11.08am, Superintendent McDonald said.

 The caller is providing a statement to police.

Superintendent Christine McDonald told media on Thursday afternoon that police alleged the woman sustained fatal stab wounds and it was ‘very clear it is a homicide’ 

Police have established a crime scene and detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death 

There were five people living at the property, and the 42-year-old man is ‘known to the other occupants’ at the home.

Superintendent McDonald said the man had no outstanding matters for bail or warrants in NSW.

‘What I believe to be true is that they were not in an intimate relationship, the fact they were living together, residing under one roof, albeit for two to three weeks, makes it a domestic violence incident,’ Superintendent McDonald said.

Police have established a crime scene and detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

Anyone with information in relation to the incident is urged to contact local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.