41yo arrested over fatal stabbing of man in Wollongong

A man accused of the stabbing murder of Wollongong man Brandon Yates will remain behind bars, while another woman has also been arrested over the incident.

Christopher John Brennan, 41, made no application for his release when his matter was briefly mentioned in Parramatta's online bail division court on Wednesday afternoon.

Following an extensive investigation, Mr Brennan was charged with murder after police raided his Wollongong home about 6:30am.

A 30-year-old woman was arrested at Nowra Police Station about 11am, but has not yet been charged with any offences.

The arrests come 10 months after emergency services arrived at a Crown Street unit block in Wollongong following reports of a stabbing about 3:20am on August 17, 2025.

Officers found Mr Yates, 28, with a stab wound to the chest. He was treated at the scene before being taken to Wollongong Hospital.

He was then transferred to St George Hospital, where he died from his injuries on August 23.

Strike Force Alcalde was established to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

Detective Chief Inspector Glenn Broadhead told reporters on Wednesday that police executed a search warrant in Wollongong and arrested Mr Brennan at a set of units in the city.

He was charged with murder, as well as driving on the road never licensed, taking and driving a conveyance without the consent of the owner, larceny, and receiving property resulting from theft.

Accused allegedly recorded on CCTV

Police allege Mr Brennan is the same person who was captured in CCTV footage that was released during the investigation.

"We'll be alleging that the man who was identified with the CCTV, who was riding a push bike away from the block units in Crown Street, is the same person who we've arrested this morning," they said.

Chief Inspector Broadhead said the two men were believed to have known each other.

"It's a very complex investigation. There's various areas of it, multiple areas that we've investigated, CCTV, speaking with witnesses, lots of different areas," he said.

Police said further arrests were expected as the investigation continued.

The victim's family previously made an emotional plea for information that would lead to a breakthrough in the case.

Mr Yates's sister, Shantelle Yates, and grandmother, Rossilynne Yates, said they were hoping for answers.

"It's all so senseless," Rossilynne Yates said at the time.

"Give us closure at least."

Email address