STRIKE Force Backhouse detectives have charged a man with murder and are seeking the extradition of a second man from the ACT as part of an ongoing investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman in Stockton earlier this year.

Just after 8pm on Wednesday 9 June 2021, emergency services were called to a home on Queen Street, Stockton, following reports of a shooting.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

A 61-year-old woman answered her front door before she was shot; she died at the scene and was later identified as Stacey Klimovitch.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District established Strike Force Backhouse to investigate the circumstances surrounding Stacey’s murder.

Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested a 29-year-old man on Wharf Road, Honeysuckle, about 11am on Friday 26 November 2021.

The 29-year-old man was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with murder.

Police will allege in court that the man orchestrated the murder.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Bail Court on Saturday 27 November 2021.

With assistance from Australian Federal Police (AFP), a 46-year-old man was arrested on a NSW warrant at a home in Chisholm, ACT, about 6.45pm.

He was taken to a local police station where the NSW warrant was executed.

The man will appear at court, and strike force detectives will apply for his extradition to NSW in the coming days, where he will be charged with murder.

Police will allege in court that the man discharged the firearm that killed Stacey Klimovitch.

Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey expressed his devastation earlier in the year.

“It’s horrendous, an innocent person who answered the front door of her home was shot in the chest and killed in the presence of a relative and child,” he told reporters.

“It doesn’t get any worse.”

Klimovitch was a loving mother and local swimming coach involved in the support of local support in the Newcastle area for over 25 years, with Stacey teaching most of Stockton how to swim.

Local police are reassuring the Stockton community that the likelihood of a recurrence of this offence is very unlikely.

Investigations are ongoing.

By Tara CAMPBELL