CANNINGTON / BENTLEY, PERTH: A major police investigation triggered widespread traffic disruption across Perth’s southern suburbs on Tuesday morning after a 35-year-old woman was found dead and a 12-year-old girl was discovered seriously injured, prompting the closure of a busy section of Albany Highway during peak-hour traffic.
Police have arrested a 16-year-old boy, who is related to both victims, and are treating the case as a suspected family violence incident.
Where Did the Incident Happen?
The investigation spans two locations in Perth’s south-east.
Police were first called to a home in Bentley shortly before 6:30 a.m., where officers discovered the body of a 35-year-old woman inside the property.
A short time later, officers located the woman’s 12-year-old daughter seriously injured in nearby Cannington, where she had managed to escape and seek help.
As detectives examined the scene, Albany Highway was closed northbound between Manning Road and Hamilton Street, causing major delays for morning commuters.
UPDATE
— Main Roads WA (@Perth_Traffic) July 20, 2026
POLICE INCIDENT – ALBANY HIGHWAY CLOSED NORTHBOUND BETWEEN MANNING ROAD AND HAMILTON STREET, CANNINGTON
Cars detoured via the left turn lane onto Manning Road
Police and Incident Response on site
Traffic heavy in the area
Seek alternate routehttps://t.co/8KWlWgl0dW… pic.twitter.com/pUpmntrZSp
What Happened?
According to Western Australia Police, both the woman and the young girl suffered injuries consistent with stab wounds.
Investigators believe the attack occurred inside the Bentley home before the injured girl fled to nearby Cannington.
Members of the public reportedly stopped to assist the child before emergency services arrived.
When police attended the Bentley address, they found the woman deceased inside the residence.
A crime scene was established at the home while forensic officers began examining the property.
Girl Rushed to Hospital
St John WA dispatched two ambulance crews, including a specialist paramedic, after receiving reports of an injured child at around 6:25 a.m.
The 12-year-old girl received emergency treatment at the scene before being transported under lights and sirens to Perth Children’s Hospital.
Hospital officials later confirmed she was in a stable condition, although police have described her injuries as serious.
Teenage Boy Taken Into Custody
Police arrested a 16-year-old boy, believed to be related to both the deceased woman and the injured girl.
The teenager remains in custody and is assisting detectives with their inquiries.
Authorities confirmed:
- No charges have been laid.
- The boy is known to police.
- Detectives continue interviewing him as part of the investigation.
What Police Are Saying
Detective Acting Inspector Jessica Securo said investigators believe both victims suffered stab wounds and confirmed the matter is being investigated as a suspected family violence incident.
