Woman charged over Bairnsdale stabbing of Toni Davison

Megan McNaught From: Herald Sun December 01, 2009 10:00PM

A WOMAN has been remanded in jail accused of murder over the bizarre stabbing of a disabled Bairnsdale woman.
Homicide detectives claimed 23-year-old Bairnsdale woman Amber Brooke Cooper attacked legally blind woman Toni Davison as she walked her dogs on Friday.

Police raided an address in Bairnsdale, allegedly seizing a blood-stained pair of black jeans and a carving knife with a spot of blood on it.

Police later seized a pair of shoes with an apparent blood stain.

Detective Senior Constable David Leveridge of the homicide squad told the hearing the victim was stabbed in the neck and died at the scene despite the efforts of witnesses and paramedics.

"A number of witnesses observed the accused walking away from the scene,'' Sen Const Leveridge said.

The incident took place close to Cooper's house, he said.

Cooper was transported to Melbourne and remanded after an out-of-court hearing.

She was charged with one count of murder. She was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrate's Court on Wednesday morning.

Ms Cooper said she was a diagnosed schizophrenic and was taking medication.

The son of Ms Davison, 65, said he was relieved an arrest had been made although he was still seeking an answer to his mother's death.

Chris Blackham-Davison said he was still unaware of any motivation there could have been to kill his mother.

"I don't know how I would feel if I knew the person," Mr Blackham-Davison said.

"I want to know why someone killed my mother. I think the whole community wants to know the answer."

"It's tragic this happened to such a warm and lovely person. She really cared for people."

"Throughout my life she has given me so much."

Ms Davison was legally blind and had been an activist for people with disabilities.

She was to meet up with her Darwin-based son in Sydney on Monday, who was to undergo an operation to correct his hearing.