A MAN accused of murdering his wife in a horrific domestic violence attack at their wine country bed and breakfast on Friday night remains behind bars.
Steven Galcsik, 47, has been charged with the murder of his wife, 46-year-old Natalie Galcsik, police alleging he ran her down with a car.
He did not enter a plea or apply for bail in Newcastle Bail Court on Saturday and will remain behind bars until the matter is mentioned again on Monday.
An apprehended domestic violence order to protect another family member is listed in Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday.
Acting Superintendent Steve Benson said a family member at the Pokolbin property raised the alarm with police just after 6pm on Friday.
He said the concern for welfare report was made in relation to a woman suffering "significant injuries" and officers rushed to the scene and provided first aid.
"Shortly after arrival, it was quickly established that the 46-year-old female was deceased," Acting Superintendent Benson said.
"That instigated a large-scale investigation led by detectives at Hunter Valley."
Mr Galcsik was arrested at the Coulson Road property, a boutique accommodation known as Unlax Hunter Valley in wine country about 15km outside Cessnock, without incident.
He was charged with domestic violence murder at Cessnock Police Station, where he spent the night in custody before the matter was mentioned briefly before a registrar in Newcastle on Saturday.
Police were on Saturday working to piece together the exact status of the relationship between the couple and whether there had been a recent marriage breakdown.
Police continued to comb the crime scene at the property for evidence on Saturday.
"It was a confronting scene and we've put a lot of incident support around those particular officers and emergency services that did attend," Acting Superintendent Benson said.
"We had support services there as well, and obviously for the family of the deceased."
Strike Force Stockport - led by Hunter Valley detectives and backed by officers from the northern region command - has been launched to investigate the circumstances of the alleged murder.
"An investigation of this nature will be ongoing for a number of days and weeks and I know detectives in the Hunter Valley are obviously working today, speaking to involved parties and seeking witnesses," Acting Superintendent Benson said.
He would not be drawn on whether Mr Galcsik was previously known to police, but said he understood at this stage it was the first time a concern for welfare report had been made at the Pokolbin property.
Strike Force Stockport investigations are continuing.
- Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; MensLine 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT
