A Newcastle couple’s generous act to host two young Chinese exchange students has ended in horror, after one girl allegedly stabbed the other to death with their kitchen knife.
Steve Maloney and Tracey Taylor had welcomed the 13 and 14-year-old girls into their home just eight days earlier as part of a short-term international exchange program.
The girls had arrived from China on July 28, and were due to return on August 16 after attending a local school and exploring tourist sites across the Hunter region.
But their dream trip turned into a nightmare just before 10.30pm on Monday night, when Ms Taylor heard a commotion in the home and went to investigate.
It was then she discovered the 14-year-old girl with a serious stab wound to her torso.
Emergency services were called to the scene, and the teenager was rushed to hospital in critical condition but tragically died a short time later.
A 13-year-old girl, who was known to the victim, was arrested at the scene and is now assisting police with their inquiries. A kitchen knife believed to have been used in the attack was seized from the property and is undergoing forensic testing.
The devastated host couple are now cooperating with detectives and have provided a ‘significant amount of information,’ according to NSW Police Superintendent Tracey Chapman.
Steve Maloney and Tracey Taylor had welcomed the 13 and 14-year-old girls into their home just eight days earlier
Emergency services were called to the scene, and the teenager was rushed to hospital in critical condition but tragically died a short time later
‘But no doubt this is a shock and a significant event in their lives as well,’ she added.
Neighbours said the host couple, who have lived at the home for four years, were quiet, describing them as private but friendly.
Both are believed to work with young people in the area.
‘I think he works at the youth detention centre and she is a social worker. They really keep to themselves,’ one resident told Daily Mail Australia. ‘It’s absolutely awful. I can’t imagine what they’re going through.’
In the hours before the stabbing, the two girls were seen smiling and giggling as they were dropped off across the street by a mini bus.
Neighbour Steve told Daily Mail Australia he watched the girls hop out and walk up the driveway, appearing to be in high spirits.
‘That’s the second time I’ve seen them since they arrived,’ he said. ‘They looked like any other teenager. I think they were probably being dropped off from school.’
‘The older one, she got out first and the other one took a little longer, but she waited for her. They were both smiling and looked happy.
Neighbours said the host couple, who have lived at the home for four years were quiet
In the hours before the stabbing, the two girls were seen smiling and giggling as they were dropped off across the street
‘Then they walked down the driveway. I could hear them chatting and giggling away.’
Steve said he hadn’t realised they were living next door until the night of the stabbing.
‘I actually didn’t know they had moved in because I’ve only seen them get dropped off twice,’ he said. ‘I wondered if maybe they’d met some boys in the area because they were so giddy.’
Superintendent Chapman confirmed both girls were Chinese nationals and were part of an organised exchange program.
‘Both the girls are from China and they travelled to Australia as part of a program where they stay with hosts as local residents,’ she said. ‘They attended a local school and were visiting areas around the Hunter region.’
Police are still trying to determine the nature of the relationship between the two girls.
‘Obviously extensive inquiries with other students, teachers, parents and the hosts, of course, to establish what the relationship was prior to last night,’ Chapman said.
She added that the investigation may take longer due to language barriers and the girls not being Australian residents.
‘Investigation with young girls involved language barriers, working through the consulate, (and) they’re not Australian residents, obviously,’ she said.
A crime scene remained in place for the majority of the day at the suburban home
Residents say they are stunned by the tragedy unfolding on their normally peaceful street
‘So there are obvious complications and complexities with that, which is why it’s taken us some time to work through.’
A crime scene remained in place for the majority of the day at the suburban home, with the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad leading the investigation under Strike Force Aggnes.
Residents say they are stunned by the tragedy unfolding on their normally peaceful street.
‘It’s a very friendly neighbourhood and we’ve never had any problems living here,’ one long-term local said.
‘We didn’t hear a thing last night and woke up to find the whole street taped off and full of police.’
Police continue to investigate the exact circumstances of the tragedy. No charges had been laid as of Tuesday night.
