Boyfriend is arrested after mum is discovered lifeless in ‘horrific’ scenes at her residence – as ‘screaming’ member of the family runs 400m for assist

Police have arrested the partner of a woman who was found dead amid a ‘horrific’ scene inside a NSW home.

Emergency services were called to home in Ellalong Street in Kearsley, near Cessnock, after reports of a domestic violence incident on Friday evening.

Police allege Rhukaya Lake, believed to be 39 years old, was found dead at the home from an apparent gunshot wound.

The scene was ‘quite horrific and traumatic’, NSW Superintendent Steve Laksa said on Saturday.

Police issued public appeal to find Christopher James McLoughney, 37, who had been dating Ms Lake since June and was living at her property. 

McLoughney was arrested on Saturday night at Bellbird, about 9km from Kearsley, and taken to the Cessnock police station. 

He was charged with murder; possess prohibited drug (two counts); possess unauthorised prohibited firearm and possess ammunition without holding a licence.

He was denied bail and will appear in Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.

Police are investigating the death of Rhukaya Lake who was shot dead in her Ellalong Street home in Kearsley, NSW

Police have arrested Christopher James McLoughney in relation to the incident

Police will allege a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition was found in his car. 

A neighbour told The Daily Telegraph a ‘hysterical’ family member who is understood to have fled the home was ‘screaming’ for help on Friday.

‘It was bloody shocking,’ the neighbour, Cecil Campbell, said.

‘This has never happened here before.’

Supt Laksa said the family member ‘walked a distance of some 300 to 400 metres from the residence seeking the support of neighbours’.

Passers-by who stopped and supported the family member called triple-0, he said. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.