EXCLUSIVE: Shocking reason two women allegedly poured ‘scalding hot coffee’ on a 7-Eleven customer who died in hospital a week later – as new details of the ‘scuffle’ emerge
- Woman, 52, died after horrific 7-Eleven attack in Melbourne last week
- She died a week after she allegedly had coffee poured on her and was assaulted
- Two women aged in 50s later charged with recklessly causing serious injury
- Police said a post-mortem will determine the woman’s exact cause of death
- The women, both aged 51, were bailed by police on night of attack
- All three believed to have mental health issues and were known to each other
- Do you know more? Contact: [email protected]
Two women charged over an attack on a service station customer who died after she was allegedly doused in scalding hot coffee and assaulted had been racially abused by their victim.
Andrea Madigan and Sarah Franklin, both aged 51 from Caulfield, have not had their charges of reckless conduct causing serious injury uplifted after their alleged victim, aged 52, died on Tuesday.
Daily Mail Australia has been told the victim had become abusive moments before she was allegedly doused in hot coffee within the 7-Eleven service station in Caulfield, in Melbourne’s south-east, on February 8.
A woman who allegedly had coffee poured over her and was assaulted at this 7-Eleven service station in Caulfield (pictured) has died in hospital
‘She was being racist,’ a source told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday.
Shop owners along Hawthorn Rd, where the 7-Eleven is positioned, claimed all three of the women were well known to each other.
The source described the ‘assault’ alleged against Madigan and Franklin as more like a ‘scuffle’.
‘She must have died from a heart attack. She couldn’t have died from that (the assault). She was fine. I wouldn’t think so,’ the source said.
All three of the women, who are all believed to be struggling with mental illness, were described as being of ‘large build’.
Daily Mail Australia revealed on Wednesday that both of the alleged offenders had a clean criminal history.
They were charged by Victoria Police detectives that night and released on bail from the watch house despite the victim’s status being listed as critical.
Those that claimed to know both of the accused described them as being ‘kind and courteous’.
‘They’re nice. They’re polite. We see them all the time. They behave, they have nice manners,’ one woman said.
Others expressed dismay at suggestions the alleged fight might have been sparked by racial slurs.
Forensic officers are seen at the service station after the woman was allegedly assaulted
Coffee was allegedly poured on a woman who later died in hospital (stock image)
Caulfield is known for its large Jewish community, representing about half of Melbourne’s Jewish population.
‘I don’t think it (the alleged offence) had any connection to race or culture,’ a local shopkeeper said.
On Thursday, two days after their alleged victim died, the pair remain free in the community as forensic experts work to ascertain if the dead woman had any underlying medical conditions that may have contributed to her death.
Sources have told Daily Mail Australia prosecutors are still considering the charges, pending the outcome of test results.
Recklessly causing serious injury charges in Victoria carry a maximum sentence of 15 years.
Witnesses have told police a woman poured coffee over the victim and assaulted her before fleeing the scene on Hawthorn Road.
Victoria Police is yet to provide any further information on its investigation into the tragic incident.
The women are listed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on May 19 over the reckless injury charges.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1300 333 000.
Two women have since been charged over the alleged attack (pictured, police at the scene)
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