Woman found dead in commercial kitchen at Canberra Zoo
A woman in her 20s was found stabbed to death at Canberra Zoo yesterday.
Police and emergency services responded to reports of screams at the National Zoo and Aquarium and arrived to find the body of the woman in a commercial kitchen area.
A man is in custody and under police guard at a hospital after being found with self-inflicted stab wounds.
“Witnesses have described loud screams from around the commercial kitchen area,” Detective Superintendent Hall O’Meagher said.
A 29-year-old is a person of interest.
“He was transported to the Canberra Hospital, where he remains under police guard, and he’ll be treated for his injuries,” O’Meagher said.
The man and woman were work colleagues, but any further ties are unknown at this stage.
“It’s apparent at this stage the deceased died as a result of stab wounds,” O’Meagher said. “A postmortem examination will be conducted in the coming days but at this stage it looks like she’s been stabbed to death with a knife.”
The zoo is currently closed as investigations continue. No charges have been laid yet.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim and the fellow workers at the National Zoo and Aquarium,” O’Meagher said.
Staff at the zoo have been left deeply shocked and traumatised and trauma counselling has been organised.
Jonathan Jackson, 19th December 2023
