Boyfriend accused of murdering Melbourne woman misses court due to 'health complications'

A man charged with the murder of his girlfriend has failed to appear at his first court hearing because he is in hospital.

Joel Micallef, 33, was yesterday charged with the murder of Nikkita Azzopardi after family members found her body following a welfare check.

The 35-year-old woman was found dead at her South Morang home, in Melbourne's northeast, on Monday.

READ MORE: Boyfriend charged with alleged murder of woman in South Morang townhouse

Micallef was due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court this morning, however, his lawyer asked for the hearing to proceed in his absence as he is in hospital.

"He's being treated in hospital for health complications," defence lawyer Clare Morris told the court.

She said it was his first time in custody.

Prosecutors were given until January 22 to hand over their brief of evidence to Micallef's lawyers.

He will next appear in court on March 5, 2025.