Peter Scammell charged with murder, extradited over 2020 death of nurse Katrina Hawker in Palmerston
Police have charged 44-year-old Peter Scammell with murder over the death of his partner Katrina Hawker. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)
In short:
Peter Scammell, 44, has been charged with murder over the 2020 death of his partner, and has been extradited from Victoria to the Northern Territory.
His arrest comes after the NT coroner reported 43-year-old Katrina Hawker's death for further investigation, following a 2024 coronial inquest.
What's next?
Mr Scammell is expected to appear in the Darwin Local Court on Thursday.
A 44-year-old man has been charged with murder over the death of his partner near Darwin in 2020.
Katrina Hawker, 43, a nurse at Royal Darwin Hospital, died on September 12, 2020 in the backyard of the Bakewell home she shared with her partner, Peter Scammell.
The cause of her death was found to be an overdose of the combined effects of alcohol and Temazepam, a sleeping medication.
Peter Scammell was arrested and charged in Victoria last week, ahead of his extradition to the Northern Territory. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)
In an inquest into her "suspicious" death held in June 2024, NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage said she believed it was "unlikely" Ms Hawker took her own life, and reported the matter to the NT police commissioner and Director of Public Prosecutions for further investigation.
In a statement on Wednesday morning, Northern Territory police said officers had arrested "the 44-year-old partner of the deceased" in Victoria last week and charged him with one count of murder.
Peter Scammell is scheduled to appear in the Darwin Local Court on Thursday. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)
At about midday, Mr Scammell was escorted through Darwin Airport, wearing handcuffs, by multiple police officers, after disembarking from a busy flight.
He declined to comment to a waiting media pack as he was walked outside the airport, put into the back of a waiting police vehicle and driven away.
Mr Scammell will be remanded to appear in the Darwin Local Court on Thursday.