Confronting details of a Ballarat woman’s death have been aired in court as it was revealed her body was badly burnt before being discovered by police.
Altona man Shaye Kotiau, 22, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with the murder of Tamara Farrell, 31, at her rental home on Sunday.
The court heard Ms Farrell’s charred remains were found dumped alongside a country road some 300 kilometres away near Sale, wrapped in a partially burnt sheet that detectives believe had been taken from her home.
Homicide squad detectives applied to the court to obtain a saliva sample from Mr Kotiau and a physical examination to check for marks or injuries to his body.
The court heard they’d both previously been refused or unable to be obtained.
Detective Senior Constable Dustin Sheppard said “matter” had been discovered on a seized tarpaulin and car that police needed to test.
We have various exhibits that appear to have biological material on them,” he said.
Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg granted applications for both the saliva sample and the physical examination and warned Mr Kotiau that both could forcibly take place if he refused.
Footage from CCTV cameras and potential phone tracking of the accused’s movements on the day of the killing are also set to be examined as part of the homicide investigation.
Mr Kotiau’s lawyer Lauren Cassimatis asked that her client be seen by a nurse for a second time with concerns over his mental health and vulnerability in custody.
A tall and solidly built Mr Kotiau sat in the dock throughout the brief hearing, dressed in a grey, long-sleeved shirt.
The 22-year-old appeared composed but uncomfortable, shifting in his chair while the allegations against him were detailed.
He didn’t speak when spoken to but nodded twice at the magistrate when being led away in handcuffs.
He is due to reappear in court in June.
Mr Kotiau’s 19-year-old sister Kieahn Kotiau, also known as Kaye, has been charged with being an accessory to murder.
Late on Wednesday afternoon she faced Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court where she was released on bail subject to a myriad of conditions.
