Yanco crash man charged after woman three children die in nsw crash 20230406 p5yqnu.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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'Brightest light': Woman killed in crash with three young boys remembered as man faces domestic violence charges

Raffaella Ciccarelli and Freya Noble

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A relative of a woman killed alongside three young boys in a devastating crash has described how difficult the last 48 hours have been for the family.

Tania Murphy's boyfriend is being held in police custody, charged with a series of domestic violence offences related to the lead up to her death in the single-vehicle crash at Leeton in the NSW Riverina region on Tuesday night.

"I woke up this morning hoping this nightmare wasn't our reality - but it is," Karen Ingram said.

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Tania Murphy was killed in a crash near Leeton.

Tania Murphy, 36, was killed in a crash near Leeton. 9News

"Tania was the brightest light, had so much love to give."

Her family is remembering the happy times, with those they've lost including Murphy's nephew, Malakai Murphy, 12.

The two other boys cannot be named for legal reasons.

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One of the boy skilled in the crash, Malakai Murphy, 12. Nine

Karen Ingram said Tania Murphy "was the brightest light, had so much love to give". Nine

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Murphy was behind the wheel with the three boys in the back when she hit a pole, flipped and rolled down an embankment.

Police say her boyfriend, Dean Cluney, allegedly kicked down a door and threatened Murphy moments before she and the children drove off.

Cluney and his mother, Wendy Chattaway, 50, allegedly jumped in another vehicle and followed.

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Cluney and Chattaway were arrested the following morning and questioned.

Chattaway was released pending further investigation while Cluney was charged with domestic violence related offences.

Cluney's lawyer didn't make an application for bail but did ask for his client to be segregated from other inmates at the Junee Correctional Centre until his next court appearance in two months.

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Dean Cluney has been charged with domestic violence offences after his girlfriend and three children died in a car crash.

Dean Cluney has been charged with domestic violence offences after his girlfriend and three children died in a car crash. He has not been charged over the crash itself. Supplied

The crash takes the road toll in NSW this year to 83. Nine

The crash takes the road toll in NSW this year to 83.

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Inquiries are ongoing and anyone with information about the crash should contact Crime Stoppers.

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