A man is set to make a court appearance after facing charges related to the 2017 death of a 21-year-old individual. The man has been accused of murder in connection with the untimely passing of Hayley McClenahan-Ernst in Kingswood, located in western Sydney, Australia. It was disclosed that Hayley was pregnant at the time of the tragic incident.
Law enforcement officers responded to a residence around 12:15 am on Sunday, May 21, 2017, where they discovered Hayley in an unresponsive state. Despite efforts by New South Wales Ambulance paramedics to assist her, she unfortunately passed away at the scene.
Initially, a 21-year-old man, who was acquainted with Hayley, faced charges involving contravening prohibition/restriction in AVO (DV) and was addressed by the judicial system. However, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, detectives apprehended a 30-year-old man at a property in Bucca, north of Coffs Harbour.
NSW Police footage depicted the tattooed suspect being handcuffed and escorted into a police vehicle. Subsequently, he was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station and formally charged with murder. The man is scheduled to appear before the Bail Division – Court One later in the day.
The circumstances surrounding Hayley’s demise raised suspicions, prompting extensive investigations following the incident in 2017. In 2025, a coronial inquest was halted, leading to a referral to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
During October 2025, detectives from Nepean Police Command revisited the case and continued their inquiries. After additional investigations and a public appeal, a breakthrough was achieved, leading to the arrest of the 30-year-old suspect almost a decade after Hayley’s death.