Tattooed man arrested over the death of woman, 49, previously admitted hiding ... trends now
The man arrested over the 'violent' death of a woman in the small town of Cobram had previously admitted to hiding the body of a toddler in the roof of a home - but was found not guilty of murder.
Emma Bates, 49, was found dead inside her Cobram home, in far north Victoria, at about 2.15pm on Tuesday - making her the 26th women to be killed in the country so far this year.
John Torney, 39, who is known to Ms Bates has been assisting police with their inquiries.
Daily Mail Australia understands Ms Bates and Thorney had recently begun dating.
Torney, a violent drug addict, has an extensive criminal record with more than 70 court records. He pleaded guilty to domestic violence offences last year and was most recently in court earlier this month.
Ms Bates was discovered deceased inside her home (pictured) on Tuesday afternoon
A wheelchair and cat scratching post could be seen sitting unattended in Ms Bates driveway
Police officers were seen speaking to a man at the premises
Pictured: John Torney
In 2015, he was accused of murdering his then-partner's two-year-old daughter, Nikki Francis-Coslovich after the toddler, who had been bashed to death, was found hidden in a roof cavity.
Torney admitted putting the child's body in the roof, but claimed it was the little girl's mother, Peta Ann Francis, who had killed her.
Ms Francis was never charged and Torney was acquitted of the toddler's death by a jury - who were never told about his violent and drug-riddled past.
He has also been previously convicted for beating a police officer with a hammer and, a neighbour's statement that he used to 'bash the s*** out of Nikki' was deemed inadmissible in court.
A team of detectives and forensic officers were seen scouring the Campbell Road home for evidence and speaking to neighbours on Wednesday as part of the investigation.
As police trailed in and out of the front door, a wheelchair, cat scratching post tower, and exercise bike could be seen sitting abandoned Ms Bates' undercover carpark.
Friend Kylie Mizzi, whose parents lived next door to Ms Bates for many years, told Daily Mail Australia she was a 'beautiful soul'.
'She always helped my elderly parents and had a huge heart, was warm and loving,' she said.
'I'm in total shock that something like this could happen to such a beautiful soul.
John Torney is seen outside a supreme court sitting of Mildura Magistrates Court, in Mildura, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016.
Pictured: Nikki Francis-Coslovich
Ms Mizzi affectionately described Ms Bates as a 'crazy cat lady' who 'loved her cats'. A sign dedicated to her pet cats could be seen on her screen door on Wednesday
Forensics teams trailed in and out of the house on Wednesday as the investigation into the tragedy continues
'Something needs to be done about domestic violence. All women should feel safe.'
Ms Mizzi said Ms Bates did not have children, but was a mother to several cats who she adored.
Ms Bates ex-husband, 59, was contacted by The Age on Wednesday but was too distraught to speak.
According to a local news report issued on Wednesday, towns along the NSW-Victorian border are experiencing an unprecedented rise in the number of women seeking help for family and domestic violence issues.
Di Glover, the chief executive of Albury-based community-support organisation
