Police are investigating the death of a woman at a rural property in Congarinni on the New South Wales Mid North Coast after emergency services responded to reports of an assault on Thursday morning, 5 November 2026.

Emergency services were called to a house on Corella Close at approximately 11am. Officers from the Mid North Coast Police District attended the property and discovered the body of a woman believed to be in her 70s. NSW Ambulance paramedics assessed the woman, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police also encountered a 72-year-old man at the property who was reportedly armed with a knife. Officers confronted the man, and a struggle took place before he was arrested. He sustained several injuries, which police believe may have been self-inflicted.

The man received medical treatment before being transported to Coffs Harbour Health Campus, where he remained under police guard. Reports indicated that his condition was critical and that he was expected to undergo further medical treatment.

Investigators established a crime scene at the property to examine the circumstances surrounding the woman's death. Police are working to establish what happened before emergency services arrived and the events that led to the incident.

Authorities said the woman and the man were in a long-term relationship and were believed to have been alone at the property when the incident occurred. Police also indicated that there had been no previous domestic violence reports involving the pair.

The incident has shocked the small rural community, where residents expressed sadness and concern following the discovery. Congarinni is located southwest of Nambucca Heads and is surrounded by rural properties and farming areas.

Police have not yet formally identified the woman, and investigations remain ongoing. The man's arrest does not establish guilt, and any potential charges will depend on the investigation and his medical condition.

Detectives are continuing to examine the scene and gather information to determine the full circumstances of the death. Further updates are expected as investigators progress with their inquiries.

The incident has prompted renewed attention to the challenges of responding to serious incidents in rural communities, where emergency services may have to travel considerable distances to reach isolated properties.