A 55-year-old Huonville man has been charged with murdering his 85-year-old mother, who police allege was smothered in her bed.
Police and Ambulance Tasmania were called to a home on Stride Street, Huonville, around 4:30am on Sunday after a triple-zero call was made from the address.
The woman was found dead in her bedroom.
Detective Inspector David Gill said the scene initially appeared normal.
“There was nothing at that time to point out that a crime had occurred and it was only following conversations with people in the house that it was evident that a crime had in fact occurred,” he said.
Gill said the woman was frail and not in good health and her son had been her carer for a number of years.
He said they had lived together all his life.
Another son also lived at the address and was home when police arrived.
“He had no idea what had occurred himself,” Gill said.
“He’s obviously upset and distraught but he has actually assisted police with our investigations.”
Police said the second son is not believed to be involved.
Detectives from the South East Criminal Investigation Branch laid the murder charge after interviewing the 55-year-old at Hobart Police Station.
Gill said police would allege the woman was smothered by her son.
“That’s what makes this extremely disturbing, just the fact that they’ve lived together all their lives,” he said.
“He was entrusted to be her carer and he’s been doing that for a number of years now and then he’s committed this act.”
The man has been detained in custody and is expected to appear before the Hobart Magistrates Court on Monday morning.
