Man arrested in Melbourne after fatal stabbing at Sir Charles Hotham Hotel in Geelong

A man has been arrested in Melbourne’s CBD after he allegedly fatally stabbed an elderly overseas man inside a Geelong hotel.

The incident took place in the upstairs accommodation area of the Sir Charles Hotham Hotel. Picture: Eddie Russell

A man who allegedly fatally stabbed an elderly New Zealand national inside a Geelong hotel has been arrested in Melbourne’s CBD.

Homicide Detective Inspector Dean Thomas confirmed a 34-year-old man from Geelong was arrested on Elizabeth St on Thursday afternoon.

He will now be interviewed by detectives.

Officers were called to the Sir Charles Hotham Hotel just before midnight on Wednesday after an altercation allegedly broke out between two men inside an upstairs room.

Police said an 82-year-old man was found with fatal stab wounds and had been assaulted by the man, who was also living at the hotel.

He allegedly fled the scene before police arrived.

A crime scene has been established and parts of Brougham St was cordoned off while police investigate. Picture: Eddie Russell

Inspector Thomas said the victim had been staying at the pub for “about three to four weeks”.

“He had come from New Zealand to be with his son,” he said.

“His family are aware of what has occurred and they are extremely upset.”

The man taken into custody had lived at the pub for about two months.

Resident James Cooper said tenants would refer to him as “Romper Stomper” because he would “stomp up and down the hall”.

“The young guy had a few issues and I knew that so we stayed away from him,” he said.

Mr Cooper, who described himself as “top dog” of the top floor after living there for more than three years, said he did not hear the commotion.

“I would’ve jumped out and intervened … but I didn’t hear anything,” he said.

“For these two to clash, it doesn’t make sense … they lived beside each other but it didn’t seem like there was a relationship.”

Sir Charles Hotham Hotel on Brougham St in Geelong. Picture: Alan Barber

A crime scene was set up and the area cordoned off on Thursday morning as forensic detectives gathered evidence while the hotel was closed to the public.

Belinda Austin, who lives nearby, said the death had shocked her.

“As a woman walking home at night, it’s actually scary,” she said.

“Hopefully whoever has done this is found.”

Mr Cooper said he believed the hotel’s upstairs area was haunted.

“People go nuts up there, it’s a bit like an asylum,” he said.

“I keep it together because I’m aware of it, but people start itching and talking to themselves, they get wigged out.”

Despite the death, Mr Cooper said he had no plans to find a new home.

“I love living here … everything’s fine,” he said.

“They aren’t all there and they are violent.

“The only time you get kicked out is when you don’t pay your rent.”

Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

History of Sir Charles Hotham Hotel

The alleged attack and subsequent death of an elderly man in the upstairs accommodation area of the Sir Charles Hotham Hotel is not the establishment’s first brush with infamy.

The body of 55-year-old Edwin Singer was found on Cavendish St just before midnight on October 2, 2011.

Mr Singer had been staying at the hotel and fellow tenants, Bradley Walters and Brett Ross Drummond, were charged over his death.

An altercation broke out when Mr Singer denied being responsible for faecal matter found on the upstairs carpet.

He was subsequently bashed to death, dying of blunt force trauma.

Both Walters and Drummond were drinking alcohol in the lead up to the incident.

Drummond had consumed at least 10 cans of beer.

Walters was sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison after being found guilty in the Supreme Court of murder.

Drummond pleaded guilty in 2013 to one count of manslaughter and received a maximum of nine years imprisonment.

More recently, father-of-three Paul Grapsas was found dead on nearby Malone St in September 2023.

Bailey Clifford has been charged with his murder.

Originally published as Man arrested in Melbourne after fatal stabbing at Sir Charles Hotham Hotel in Geelong