UPDATE: A butcher from Mullumbimby, Jai Oden-Jenkins, 29, has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Ashleigh, 23. He will remain behind bars until at least November following a brief appearance in court this weekend.
Authorities confirmed Oden-Jenkins was arrested at their shared unit late on Friday night after an alleged domestic violence incident. Police responded to the scene on Ponciana Street in the early hours of Saturday morning, where they found evidence of a violent altercation.
Witnesses reported hearing a series of disturbances around 10:30 PM on Friday. Neighbour Cheryl Crichton recounted the chaos, stating, “I started hearing lots of screaming, yelling, banging, smashing, and a man just screaming out saying, ‘You killed her, you killed her, you killed her.’” Crichton noted that Ashleigh had recently moved into the unit complex and was often seen riding a pink pushbike around town.
Oden-Jenkins was charged with murder upon arrival at Byron Bay Police Station. During his court appearance at Parramatta Bail Court, he did not apply for bail, which was formally refused. He is set to reappear in court next month, with the investigation still ongoing.
Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer from the Tweed Byron Police District stated that police had no prior reports of domestic violence involving the couple, and there was no Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) in place at the time of the incident. Authorities are now focused on determining if drugs played a role in the events leading up to the tragedy.
This shocking incident has left the local community reeling, with many expressing disbelief over the violent turn of events. As the investigation continues, police urge anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community awareness in preventing domestic violence.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
