The boyfriend of a woman who died in suspicious circumstances in Kingswood this morning has been charged with breaching an AVO.
21-year-old Hayley Mcclenahan-Ernst couldn’t be revived despite the best efforts of neighbours and paramedics who were called to the Derby Street home she was residing at just after midnight today.
It is understood that Ms Mcclenahan-Ernst, who was the mother of two children, was pregnant at the time of her death.
This afternoon, police charged 21-year-old Max Spencer with ‘contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic)’. He will front Penrith Local Court tomorrow after being refused bail.
Police do believe Ms Mcclenahan-Ernst’s death is suspicious and investigations are continuing.
On her Facebook, Ms Mcclenahan-Ernst is listed as being “in a relationship” with Mr Spencer.
According to Nine News, Mr Spencer told neighbours that Ms Mcclenahan-Ernst had passed out and hit her head on a coffee table.
Neighbour Kevin Keys, who desperately tried to revive Ms Mcclenahan-Ernst, said it was a frightening situation.
“She was out cold,” he told Nine News.
“She was in a bad way.”
Superintendent Greg Peters from St Marys Police addressed the media shortly before 9am today.
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“The examination of the scene is still being conducted at this point in time and our inquiries in relation to this matter are certainly in their infancy stage,” he said.
“Strike Force Fielding has been commenced to investigate this matter.”
Superintendent Peters said he was hopeful a post-mortem would be conducted tomorrow to officially determine the cause of death.
Friends and family members of Ms Mcclenahan-Ernst, who went to Colyton High School and worked at McDonald’s, have shared tributes on social media.
“It still doesn’t seam (sic) real, yesterday we were talking about going baby shopping together, I feel so empty I wish it wasn’t true. You have always been a true friend to me, I miss your smile your (sic) such an amazing girl,” one friend wrote.
Police are urging anyone with information on the incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.