National

Man accused of killing elderly mother faces court

By Ethan James

Aug 31, 2026

Hobart Magistrates Court (file image) — Jason Victor Oates has been charged with murder after his mother was found dead in her bed. -AAP Image

A man who allegedly murdered his elderly mother in their home by smothering her has briefly appeared in court.

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Police were called to the house at Huonville, in southern Tasmania, at 4.30am on Sunday and discovered the body of the 85-year-old woman in her bed.

Jason Victor Oates, 55, was charged with murder and faced Hobart Magistrates Court on Monday.

He was remanded in custody until his next appearance in November, with his lawyer Brittany Clark telling the court there could be a resolution to the matter.

The woman was frail and not in good health and Oates had been her carer for several years, Tasmania Police Detective Inspector David Gill told reporters on Sunday.

Police allege Oates smothered his mother and say the pair had lived together for many years.

A second son who also lives at the house has assisted with police investigations, but is not believed to have had any involvement in his mother's death.

Before finding the woman's body, police who attended the scene said it looked like a "normal house", Det Insp Gill said.