A 19-year-old man has been charged with murdering a 70-year-old woman at an aged care facility in Albany, on Western Australia's south coast.
Jacob Anthony Hoysted was a carer at the facility in the suburb of Yakamia, where it is alleged he strangled resident Monica Mary Stockdale on November 28.
Divisional Detective Inspector Quentin Flatman said police were made aware of her death at the time and, after extensive investigations, arrested the man on Friday.
"No death is any greater than any others, however, when we have the death of an elderly female who is in a care facility at this time of year, it really resonates for all of us," he said.
"Clearly, people go into these facilities seeking the best care … being such vulnerable members of our community, and we are greatly saddened by the death of this woman."
It is alleged that a post-mortem examination revealed the woman had died of strangulation.
Inspector Flatman said the carer had worked at the facility for a little over a year and had continued to work there until his arrest.
"Police will continue to undertake active enquiries in respect [of] the actions of this male, his employment, where he has worked previously, his engagement and involvement with any other persons within that facility," he said.
"What I can say at this point is that there is no immediate concerns held by us.
"There is no clear evidence that indicates that this male has been active in any other offending of such a nature previously."
Inspector Flatman said the woman's death was a shock for her family and the community.
"We are providing support to the next of kin, who are also residents of Albany, but I have no doubt that this will very much shake the core of this community and those people who have elderly loved ones in aged care facilities," he said.
"That poor family will now have to face a Christmas Day without their loved one."
Police are treating the incident as random and have sought to reassure the public.
"Particularly at this time of year, a lot of people will be going to visit loved ones in care and we don't want to generate any panic and we're certainly not alleging that this is a normal occurrence," Inspector Flatman said.
"Our elderly community shouldn't expect to be faced with treatment of this nature, or their lives to be cut short in this sort of fashion."
Mr Hoysted made a brief appearance at the Perth Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody to appear in the Stirling Magistrates Court on December 28.
'Everyone shocked by tragic death'
Ms Stockdale lived at Baptistcare Bethel Residential Care, which is operated by the Baptist Church.
"Her tragic death has shocked everyone who lives and works at Baptistcare Bethel Residential Care in Albany," acting joint chief executive Amanda Vivian said in a statement.
"We are continuing to work closely with the WA Police as they investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.
"Supporting our Bethel Residential Care residents, employees and their families through this difficult time is our immediate priority."
