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Perth Woman Faces Attempted Murder Charge After Alleged Attack on Husband - Perth, WA
Smart summary
An 88-year-old Perth woman has returned to court after being charged over the alleged attempted murder of her 90-year-old husband at an aged-care facility in Claremont.
An 88-year-old Perth woman has returned to court after being charged with the alleged attempted murder of her 90-year-old husband at an aged-care facility in Claremont, Perth. The latest court development was reported on 5 October 2026, with the case continuing through Western Australia’s criminal justice system. The woman, Gay Bernadette Branchi, was arrested at The Queenslea aged-care centre on 24 September and subsequently charged with attempted murder.
The alleged incident occurred at the residential aged-care facility where the couple were living. Police arrested Ms Branchi on Thursday, 24 September, and she later appeared before Perth Magistrates Court by video link while seeking bail. Because attempted murder is a serious criminal charge, the bail proceedings were subsequently dealt with at Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court.
The case has attracted attention because of the age of both people involved. Ms Branchi is 88, while her husband is 90. Robert Branchi is a former chairman of Automotive Holdings Group, a major Australian automotive company. He retired from the chairman role in 2010 after a long career with the company.
During an earlier court appearance, concerns were raised about Ms Branchi’s health and cognitive condition. The magistrate expressed concern about whether she should remain in custody, particularly because of her age and possible dementia. Those concerns became an important part of the bail proceedings as the court considered appropriate arrangements while the criminal case continues.
Her legal representatives later appeared in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court, where the court was informed that bail had been granted. Residential conditions were imposed, with the magistrate describing the matter as a developing situation. Details of the alleged offending were not read publicly during that particular court appearance.
The court has listed the matter for a further appearance on 11 November 2026. Until the case progresses, the allegations remain unproven. Ms Branchi is legally presumed innocent unless and until a court determines otherwise.
The case is being handled as a serious criminal matter, and further court proceedings are expected to establish how the allegations should proceed. Because the alleged incident occurred inside an aged-care setting, the case has also raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the couple’s living arrangements and the support available to elderly residents involved in serious legal proceedings.
Police and prosecutors will continue to present the evidence through the court process. The defence will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations, while the court will determine the appropriate next steps.
This is a new Perth crime/court story for today, 5 October 2026, and is not the same incident as the previously provided Perth-area Facebook Marketplace fraud, Wolli Creek stolen-vehicle case, Coober Pedy break-ins, Katoomba drink-driving case, Wadalba drink-driving case or any other crime story already sent in this chat.
CourtCaseBranchiAllegedPerth
An 88-year-old Perth woman has returned to court after being charged with the alleged attempted murder of her 90-year-old husband at an aged-care facility in Claremont, Perth. The latest court development was reported on 5 October 2026, with the case continuing through Western Australia’s criminal justice system. The woman, Gay Bernadette Branchi, was arrested at The Queenslea aged-care centre on 24 September and subsequently charged with attempted murder.
The alleged incident occurred at the residential aged-care facility where the couple were living. Police arrested Ms Branchi on Thursday, 24 September, and she later appeared before Perth Magistrates Court by video link while seeking bail. Because attempted murder is a serious criminal charge, the bail proceedings were subsequently dealt with at Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court.
The case has attracted attention because of the age of both people involved. Ms Branchi is 88, while her husband is 90. Robert Branchi is a former chairman of Automotive Holdings Group, a major Australian automotive company. He retired from the chairman role in 2010 after a long career with the company.
During an earlier court appearance, concerns were raised about Ms Branchi’s health and cognitive condition. The magistrate expressed concern about whether she should remain in custody, particularly because of her age and possible dementia. Those concerns became an important part of the bail proceedings as the court considered appropriate arrangements while the criminal case continues.
Her legal representatives later appeared in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court, where the court was informed that bail had been granted. Residential conditions were imposed, with the magistrate describing the matter as a developing situation. Details of the alleged offending were not read publicly during that particular court appearance.
The court has listed the matter for a further appearance on 11 November 2026. Until the case progresses, the allegations remain unproven. Ms Branchi is legally presumed innocent unless and until a court determines otherwise.
The case is being handled as a serious criminal matter, and further court proceedings are expected to establish how the allegations should proceed. Because the alleged incident occurred inside an aged-care setting, the case has also raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the couple’s living arrangements and the support available to elderly residents involved in serious legal proceedings.
Police and prosecutors will continue to present the evidence through the court process. The defence will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations, while the court will determine the appropriate next steps.
This is a new Perth crime/court story for today, 5 October 2026, and is not the same incident as the previously provided Perth-area Facebook Marketplace fraud, Wolli Creek stolen-vehicle case, Coober Pedy break-ins, Katoomba drink-driving case, Wadalba drink-driving case or any other crime story already sent in this chat.
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