Marika Ninness, 35, never regained consciousness after she was allegedly bashed by Ross Merrick near an East Maitland car park on December 7.

She suffered severe head injuries and died in John Hunter Hospital on Saturday.

Within hours of her death, police had arrested Mr Merrick at Dunbogan, on the state’s mid-north coast, before upgrading the assault charges to murder.

He was bail refused to appear in Port Macquarie Local Court on Sunday.

Full story, tomorrow’s Newcastle Herald