THE teenager accused of stabbing his mother to death in her Inverell home and then fleeing the scene before crashing the getaway car, will remain in custody.
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Bradley Craig Mottram is facing one count of murder and chose not to come across from the police cells yesterday morning as his case was briefly mentioned in Moree Local Court.
Police allege the 19-year-old stabbed his mother, 51-year-old Simone Mottram several times in her Froude St home on Monday, before her body was found by police and paramedics.
The gruesome discovery came as police found the teenage son on Copeton Dam Rd, more than 30 minutes away from the home, after he crashed his mother’s red Hyundai Getz down an embankment on a straight stretch of road.
He was arrested at the scene but now a team of investigators are trying to determine what the motive was behind the alleged murder of his mother.
“That forms part of the investigation, the circumstances before the incident,” New England Detective Inspector Ann Joy told The Leader.
“Strike Force Lotred has been established to investigate the death consisting of New England detectives assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.”
Forensic officers spent the day searching the Froude St home again yesterday, which remained under police guard. It’s believed officers have recovered the weapon used, but investigators would not be drawn on it yesterday.
“It appears she suffered a number of stab wounds during the alleged attack,” Detective Inspector Joy said.
“The forensic examination of those premises is continuing and it is anticipated a post mortem examination will be conducted at Newcastle (today).”
The tragic death of Ms Mottram has shocked the Inverell community, prompting even complete strangers to post tributes.
Ms Mottram’s Facebook profile shows a photo from happier times with her son, saying “Love you to the moon and back Brad Coda Mottram”, she posted in June.
It’s believed Bradley Mottram, who lives on the Central Coast, had only been in Inverell in recent days.
Now, detectives are trying to piece together a timeline about what unfolded inside the home and the moments leading up to his arrest near Copeton Dam.
“Anyone that may have observed that red coloured Hyundai Getz vehicle is urged to contact Inverell detectives at Inverell Police Station,” Detective Inspector Joy said.
During yesterday’s brief proceedings in court, solicitor Neurelle Lyon said there was no application for bail and Magistrate Michael O’Brien formally remanded Bradley Mottram in custody, ordering him to undergo health checks while in custody.
Detectives will compile a brief of evidence into the case, which has been adjourned to Armidale in December.
Mottram is due to appear via video link.