Update:
Category: | The Courier Mail
A MAN accused of the murder of his parents told police he returned home from a run to find his mother and father dead on the floor of their Joyner home, and feared their killer was still lurking at the property, it can be revealed.
The Courier-Mail understands police will allege 31-year-old Christopher Puglia told detectives after being arrested in NSW on Sunday that he had spent Saturday afternoon with his parents – Loris and Franco Puglia – before going for a jog in the late afternoon.
Police will allege Puglia then claimed he arrived home sometime after 5pm to find several doors wide open and the smoke detector ringing out at the Hazlemere Court property.
Chris Puglia with parents Loris and Frank Puglia.
He allegedly said the bathroom was filled with smoke.
The 31-year-old allegedly told officers he first found his mother covered in blood on the floor, with a sledgehammer strewn not far from her body, and saw his father lying nearby.
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Puglia allegedly claimed he checked to see if his mother was alive and became himself covered in blood.
Police will allege the 31-year-old told police he took a shower and changed into fresh clothes before driving his father’s work car to the Gold Coast and sleeping the night before continuing to NSW in a state of shock.
Christopher Puglia arriving at the Pine Rivers Watchhouse after being driven from Sydney. Picture: AAP Image/Josh Woning
He allegedly told police he believed the killer of his parents may not have left the property when he arrived home after his run,
The Courier-Mailunderstands.
Puglia appeared in the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on Thursday facing two counts of murder relating to the deaths of his parents, both aged 59.
He has also been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Puglia did not appear personally in court and is expected to be charged with attempted arson later today after police allegedly found a burning towel in the bathroom of his parent’s Joyner property when they located the bodies.
Police allege neighbours heard a woman scream and yell “no, no” about 6pm on the day the pair were killed.
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Loris and Franco were found in the lounge room of the property with fatal head injuries, allegedly caused by a sledge hammer.
It is alleged the bodies were moved a short distance in a wheelbarrow and blood was splattered throughout the room.
Puglia was remanded in custody today.
He was not able to apply for bail because of the serious nature of the charges and will return to court on July 13.
Defence solicitor Brendan Beavon. Picture: Annette Dew
His defence solicitor Brendan Beavon said outside court Puglia was “overwhelmed”.
“Given the nature of the allegations, it goes without saying he’s pretty overwhelmed, that’s all he said to me,” he said.
“He’s overwhelmed with the situation.”
Mr Beavon said his client had wanted to be present in court to witness the “process” but was unable to because of COVID-19.
He said his client had given no indication yet about how he intended to plead to the charges.
