A Bucca resident has been arrested and charged with murder nearly nine years after the death of a pregnant 21-year-old woman in Sydney’s west.
Emergency services were called to a home on Derby Street, Kingswood, about 12.15am on Sunday 21 May 2017, where Hayley McClenahan-Ernst was found unresponsive.
NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the 21-year-old, who was pregnant at the time, but she died at the scene.
The circumstances surrounding Ms McClenahan-Ernst’s death were deemed suspicious, with detectives launching an extensive investigation under Strike Force Fielding.
In 2025, a coronial inquest into her death was suspended and the matter was referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Detectives attached to Nepean Police Area Command reviewed the case in October 2025 and continued inquiries.
The case was reopened last month, with further witnesses identified and spoken to.
Following those inquiries, detectives travelled to the Mid North Coast and arrested a 30-year-old man at a property at Bucca, a very small community north of Coffs Harbour, just before 7.30am on Tuesday 14 April 2026.
The man was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station and charged with murder.
Police will allege the man had previously been in a relationship with Ms McClenahan-Ernst.
He was refused bail and is due to appear in court today.
Acting Superintendent Michael Cantrell said last month investigators had continued working towards answers for the family.
“Any piece of new information could be the key to solving this case and providing answers to Hayley’s family,” he said.
Ms McClenahan-Ernst’s mother, Lisa Ernst, said her daughter remained deeply missed.
“We have never stopped missing her smile, her infectious laugh, and the fierce love she had for her children,” she said.
“My grief over losing my daughter has only deepened with time, especially as I still have no answers about what happened to her.”
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