Geelong’s House of Horror: Family of Robert Natoli vows to ‘fight for truth’ over shocking tragedy

The family of a man whose rotting corpse lay undiscovered in a Geelong unit has vowed to pursue the state government for answers over a possible lucrative estate, and his undignified end.

The long-lost family of a man whose rotting corpse lay undiscovered in a Geelong unit has vowed to fight the state government for answers over his undignified end, questioning the State Trustees in charge of an estate they believe could have been worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Grace Natoli, the cousin of Robert Rudolph Natoli, whose skeletal remains were pulled from a Newtown public housing unit in December 2022, said he deserved a proper burial after a coronial investigation was complete, calling for an inquest into the circumstances that led to the shocking case of alleged neglect.

“It’s not right, whatever happened is not right,” she said.

“Someone is taking the piss.”

Mr Natoli was a Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) tenant living with his sister, Maria, at the time of his death.

The latter remained living in the unit with the decomposing body for a yet-to-be-determined period, which some have suggested could have been years.

It can be revealed Grace Natoli believes the pair inherited a large sum of money from their late grandparents, who owned at least one home in central Geelong, saying “they would be turning in their graves if they knew what has happened”.

Speaking on behalf of four distant Geelong-based cousins, she said the family had vowed to “fight for the truth” of how Robert and Maria’s lives unravelled, and what assets were left to them.

“This is our family we are talking about, someone has let not only Robert and Maria down, but their grandparents down and our family down,” she said.

The Russell St house where Robert Natoli’s skeletal remains were found. Picture: Alan Barber

“Someone is benefiting from their legacy and discarded Robert and Maria as if they don’t matter, they don’t care. That their parents, their grandparents, their great grandparents, their sacrifices have gone unnoticed and don’t matter, who cares?

“Well, we care.”

This masthead can reveal the State Trustees issued a Notice to Creditors for Mr Natoli’s estate on August 23, 2023 – eight months after his body was found.

A statement on the Victorian Public Notices website said creditors, next of kin and others with claims had until November 1 to send particulars.

“After which date State Trustees Limited may convey or distribute the assets, having regard only to the claims of which State Trustees Limited then has notice,” the statement read.

Grace Natoli has written to the agency – which manages the finances of thousands of Victorians who are unable to look after their own affairs due to disability, illness or injury – seeking clarity on the situation and what entitlements had been left for Maria Natoli.

She was initially arrested when officers broke through her window and found her brother’s skeletal remains on December 28, 2022, but was later released without charge.

DFFH claims it reported concerns about a lack of contact or access to the unit in that year to police and the State Trustees, who were appointed to pay his rent and to look after welfare concerns and property conditions.

It’s alleged Mr Natoli’s rent was still being paid by the state government-backed agency, even as he lay dead inside.

“What I don’t understand is if the State Trustees were meant to be looking after Robert, why didn’t they?” Grace Natoli said.

“Who appointed the State Trustees as executor of the estate?

“Whoever did it would have done it with that notion that he couldn’t look after himself.

“But someone hasn’t looked after him.”

Grace Natoli's grandfather, Giovanni, and his two brothers, Domenico and Bartolo, who was the grandfather of Robert and Maria Natoli. A young Robert can be seen sitting on his grandmother's lap, with his pregnant mother in the middle. Photo: Supplied with permission.

The State Trustees said they were unable to provide information about the case “unless we are permitted to do so under an order of Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal or a court, or by an express legislative provision.”.

In general terms, anyone can make an application to VCAT for a guardian or administrator if they believe a person with a disability needs assistance with financial or personal decision-making.

VCAT is then responsible for a decision under the Guardianship and Administration Act 2019.

It comes as the case is still being probed by a Victorian coroner, who is yet to confirm if an inquest will be held as part of the investigation.

It’s believed the failings of multiple government agencies and broader issues of public health and safety would form the catalyst for any court proceeding.

Grace Natoli said her family welcomed an inquiry and would pursue a funeral service for their cousin once his remains were released by the coroner.

“Robert needs to be buried properly, he needs to have a service,” she said.

“We need to be able to go to a service, say our goodbyes and treat him with the dignity that he deserves.

“And that our grandparents and his grandparents deserve.”

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Originally published as Geelong’s House of Horror: Family of Robert Natoli vows to ‘fight for truth’ over shocking tragedy