Patient records probed over nurse murder

Tuesday was an unusual day that ended in tragedy for Sydney nurse Michelle Beets.
During the couple of hours after leaving work, her car broke down and there was a
security alarm activation at her home. Minutes later she was viciously murdered.
The 57-year-old who worked as a nurse manager at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital
was found lying in a pool of blood at the front door of her northern suburbs home at
Chatswood about 6.30pm (AEST) on Tuesday.
Detectives have since been working around the clock to determine whether the
highly-regarded health professional was the victim of a targeted attack or if her
murder came after she disturbed a thief.
Homicide squad commander Acting Superintendent Mick Sheehy on Thursday told
reporters that investigations included going over patient records at the hospital
where Ms Beets worked, looking for anyone with whom the victim may have conflicted.
While a post mortem examination was expected to be completed on Thursday, Supt
Sheehy gave the first insight into Ms Beets' killing, describing it as "gruesome and
violent".
"At this stage we are only prepared to say that the initial assessment is that the
injuries are consistent with a knife attack," he said.
"Once the post mortem (examination) is finalised we will be able to confirm what is
the likely weapon."
After leaving work on Tuesday Ms Beets' car broke down. She sought help from a
mechanic and the vehicle was started.
"We do not draw any conclusions between that and the murder that was committed
against her," Supt Sheehy said of the breakdown.
After a trip to the supermarket, Ms Beets headed to her Holland Street home and is
believed to have arrived just after the property's security alarm was activated.
Two people out walking a dog found Ms Beets' body and were passed by the killer as
he fled the scene.
"The timings are consistent with the deceased arriving home and the alarm having
been activated just prior to that," Supt Sheehy said.
"It would certainly appear that the two have certain bearing on each other. The
alarm timing is significant to us."
The only description of the man seen fleeing the premises is that he wore a green
jacket or possibly a hoodie as he ran away.
"There is some evidence at the premises which may support that a break and enter had
occurred at the premises," Supt Sheehy said.
Forensic investigators continued to scour the crime scene and areas nearby on
Thursday. Supt Sheehy said numerous items had been seized.
Ms Beets' de facto husband is helping investigators and being kept updated on the
progress of the case, Supt Sheehy added.
"At this stage there is a number of options available to us, whether it was an
unfortunate incident where another crime was disturbed by the deceased or whether it
was a targeted attack, it is too early to say," he said.
Anyone with information about the murder or who believe they saw the killer fleeing
the scene on Tuesday, should contact police by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333
000.