In a somber courtroom session on Thursday, James Pualic, 44, the man suspected of a grisly murder in central Victoria, was officially identified. He executed his appearance in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court via video link with a notable lack of eye contact and clad in a simplistic attire comprising of a light green jumper and blue track pants, viewed remotely from his holding cell.
Pualic hails from Junortoun and is currently under prosecution for the malignant murder of Analyn “Logee” Osias, aged 46. Tragically, she was discovered critically wounded in her Kangaroo Flat residence, in close proximity to Bendigo, late Sunday night. Two of her young children bore witness to the frantic scene as emergency personnel stormed the premises.
Despite fervent attempts from medical responders to save her, Osias succumbed to her injuries shortly after reaching the hospital.
Law enforcement officials have stated that Pualic was seized approximately five hours post the incident – his capture taking place by a nearby reservoir. Post-arrest, he was subject to formal charges following a hospital interview.
Osias, fondly known within her circle as Logee, was celebrated as a beloved member of Bendigo’s Filipino community, revered for her dedication as a mother to her four children. Earlier this week, the devastating news shocked community members at St Monica’s Catholic primary school, with two of her children counted as pupils.
The tragic incident has left the school’s community, under principal Fiona Dearne, “deeply shocked and saddened.” In the face of the tragedy, Dearne promised unwavering support to her loved ones in these unbearable times and assured that her children, in particular, would receive every ounce of help possible, especially considering the fact that they are now orphaned. The last year had already been grievous for them with their father, Timothy Dorrough, tragically killed in a car accident in May 2020.
Amidst all these events, Pualic did not request bail and was decreed by magistrate Trieu Huynh to remain in custody. The court awaits his forthcoming appearance set for March.
