On April 9, 2023, paramedics attending to a woman with fatal stab wounds in her Mascot apartment decided against administering first aid, determining her injuries were not survivable. The victim, Lisa Fenwick, aged 59, was discovered in her bedroom by responders who were alerted to the scene.
Her flatmate and alleged assailant, Anthony “Tony” Eriksen, 63, was found wearing a bathrobe and on the phone to emergency services upon their arrival. The court was informed that Fenwick had been in a tumultuous relationship with Eriksen, from which she was attempting to detach prior to her death.
Paramedic Ryan Constance described the scene, noting severe injuries to Fenwick’s chest and abdomen, indicating significant blood loss. With numerous stab wounds evident, the paramedics concluded that resuscitation efforts would be futile, and Fenwick was pronounced dead approximately fifteen minutes after they arrived.
Only Eriksen and Fenwick were present in the apartment at the time of the incident. Fellow paramedic Isabel Henry recalled noticing blood droplets leading into the unit, painting a grim picture of the environment. Eriksen has maintained a not guilty plea regarding the murder charges and is representing himself in the trial.
Significantly, earlier in the year, Eriksen had contacted support services, expressing concerns over their living situation and revealing that Fenwick wished for him to leave. He indicated feeling trapped due to financial difficulties and a growing credit card debt of around $10,000, which complicated his options for leaving the arrangement.
In a troubling observation, Fenwick had shared her frustrations about Eriksen’s dependency on her and had expressed a desire for distance from him to her friends just weeks before the alleged stabbing.
The trial continues as the jury examines the evidence surrounding this tragic case, including the history of the couple’s relationship and the circumstances leading to Fenwick’s untimely death. The unfolding details of this incident raise serious concerns about domestic violence and the challenges faced by individuals wishing to leave harmful relationships.
For anyone seeking support in domestic violence situations, resources are available through Lifeline at 13 11 14 and the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).