Woman allegedly murdered by housemate in inner-west Sydney home identified

The woman allegedly murdered by her housemate in Sydney’s inner west has been identified as 53-year-old Annette Kiss.

Benjamin Scott Art, 42, has been charged with murder, after the body of a woman was found at a home on Clements St in Russell Lea on Thursday.

Art faced Parramatta local court on Friday where he did not apply for bail. Bail was formally refused ahead of his next appearance on August 28.

Police were called to the property just after 11am after a concerned neighbour heard a woman screaming and calling for help.

Inside they found the woman with significant stab wounds to her upper body, police said on Thursday.

A crime scene was established, and detectives began an investigation.

Art was arrested at the scene and taken to Burwood police station before being taken to Prince Alfred hospital for treatment of injuries and assessment.

Upon his release from hospital, he was taken to Burwood police station and charged with murder.

Supt Christine McDonald said at a press conference on Thursday that the arrested male had moved into the residence only two to three weeks ago and was known to the other occupants.

She added that she did not believe the two were in an “intimate relationship”. She said it was considered a domestic violence incident because they were living “under the same roof”.

The victim and three other housemates had moved into the residence five to six weeks ago.