Govendir on trial for wife's 1998 murder, accused of faking break-in
Accused of bludgeoning his wife to death in 1998 to avoid her divorce, then staging a violent break-in.
Aaron Govendir, now 83, is on trial in NSW Supreme Court for murdering his wife Denise in their Sydney home on March 10, 1998. The Crown says he killed her to stop the divorce she was pursuing.
The couple had been married 30 years but she'd consulted a lawyer about separating and dividing assets fairly. Govendir later admitted to affairs with other women.
The prosecutor told the jury he is accused of bludgeoning her to death in their bed, then waiting hours before calling triple zero to report a home invasion. Paramedics found her body cold, with severe head injuries and cable-tied feet.
Her purse with $240 cash sat untouched beside her. His minor scalp injuries didn't match his claim of being tied up, the prosecutor told the jury.
- March 10, 1998
- Date of death
- Now 83 years old
- Defendant's age
- $240 in her purse
- Untouched cash
- Dover Heights, Sydney
- Location
Why it mattersThe case tests whether circumstantial evidence can prove murder from nearly three decades earlier, and questions what delayed justice for Denise.
AustraliaA NSW Supreme Court trial shows Australia's justice system pursuing cold cases; the case highlights domestic violence and how controlling partners may escalate.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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