Australian woman charged with murder after allegedly starving Down Syndrome man to death

Published: 02:12, 5 August 2026 | Updated: 02:29, 5 August 2026 A Queensland woman has been charged with murder after a Down Syndrome man was found dead inside a home, weighing just 29 kilograms. Maria Concepceion Arrieta, 70, was arrested by police on Tuesday following a 'complex' three-year investigation into Isaac Oar's 2023 death. Arrieta, who lives in Forest Lake in Brisbane's south-west, was charged with one count of murder (domestic violence). She faced Brisbane Magistrates Court today. Mr Oar, 56, was pronounced dead at an Alice Street address in Ayr, south of Townsville, on August 10, 2023. Queensland Police said investigations into Mr Oar's death 'have been complex, with detectives conducting extensive and thorough inquiries into his health, care, and treatment throughout his life.' 'He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Due to the circumstances, police commenced an investigation, and a crime scene was established,' police said in a statement. In footage released by police last year, officers can be seen walking through a home in 2023 cluttered with belongings stacked on top of each other. Entries to rooms within the home are blocked by boxes, with objects spilling out of bags and containers. Maria Concepceion Arrieta, 70, has been charged with murder after a man with down syndrome was found dead inside a home in 2023 Last year, police released footage of inside Isaac Oar's house in an attempt to gather more information about his death At the time, Queensland Police alleged Mr Oar's condition stemmed from years of neglect and named his primary caregiver, his older sister, as a person of interest in their investigation. 'Isaac was found seriously malnourished - he was only 29 kilos at the time of his death,' Detective Inspector Jason Shepherd told reporters in 2025. 'He was being cared for by a family member. 'He hadn't received any professional medical treatment in well over a decade so it makes the investigation quite complex. 'We do believe people would have had contact with the family members, would have had contact with the house at times during the years preceding his death, and we believe that those people may be able to assist us.'