Badly decomposed remains of Shane Snellman end decade-old Sydney mystery

THE grisly discovery of a man’s badly decomposed remains under a rug inside a dead hoarder’s house has ended a 10-year mystery for a grieving Sydney family.

THE grisly discovery of a man’s badly decomposed remains under a rug inside a dead hoarder’s house has ended a 10-year mystery for a grieving Sydney family.

Campbelltown mother Tracy Trudgitt has been told by homicide detectives the partly-skeletal remains were those of her long-lost brother, Shane Snellman.

Mrs Trudgitt had been watching a news bulletin of the discovery with her daughter when police came calling.

Shane Snellman was identified as the body in the carpet. Picture: Supplied/The Australian

“I said, ‘Oh my God, that is so sad, that’s someone’s brother or husband’,” Mrs Trudgitt told The Australian.

Moments later, a female homicide detective knocked on her front door, asking if she had a brother named Shane John Snellman.

“I said yes, that’s my eldest and only brother,” Mrs Trudgitt said.

“She said that she was sorry to let me know he had passed away.

“I screamed and just fell to the floor. I’m still in shock. I can’t believe this has happened.”

Forensic investigators continued to remove items from the home. Picture: Danny Aarons

The home of Bruce Roberts in Greenwich who passed away and later the decomposed body of Shane Snellman was found inside. Picture: Danny Aarons

Mr Snellman’s badly decomposed remains were discovered in the home of Bruce Roberts, who died from a suspected heart attack in July last year.

Now police are investigating the possibility the eccentric householder had been living for years alongside the body of the man he may have murdered.

The Daily Telegraph can ­reveal officers found several firearms in the dilapidated Greenwich property when they were called to investigate Mr Roberts’ disappearance.

Cleaners at the house of Bruce Roberts in Greendale Street. Picture: Danny Aarons

Mr Roberts’ ramshackle home was untouched for a year while his estate was finalised.

Police outside the Greendale Street, Greenwich house. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Police found Mr Roberts’ body in the house last July among the piles of stinking rubbish he had collected, oblivious to the fact Mr Snellman was also inside the home.

Mr Roberts died of natural causes but the injuries to Mr Snellman indicate he died from gunshot wounds. The ­official autopsy results are yet to be released­.

Mr Roberts’ ramshackle home was untouched for a year while his estate was finalised. Last week a cleaning team was sent in and discovered Mr Snellman’s remains.

One working theory is that the victim was shot while ­attempting a break and enter.

Mr Snellman, aged in his 30s, was known to police for a number of petty crimes, and no missing persons report was lodged with authorities, NSW Police said on Tuesday.

A mobile phone, believed to be an older model Nokia, will also be examined for clues to Mr Snellman’s fate.

North Shore Police Area Command remove exhibits from the house. Picture: AAP

Cleaners at the house of Bruce Roberts in Greendale Street.

Mr Roberts died of natural causes in the home in July 2017 and his body was discovered shortly after local shop attendants realised he had stopped going on grocery runs.

The piles of rubbish and junk which fill the home apparently meant Mr Roberts’ body was removed without anyone noticing Mr Snellman’s corpse in the living room.

The executor of Mr Robert’s estate sent cleaners to the run-down home last Tuesday where they discovered the partly-skeletal remains under a pile of debris.

Mr Roberts was reportedly a familiar sight pacing about the leafy suburb. While he would quietly exchange pleasantries with neighbours and passers-by, he has been described as a “loner” and “child-like” while police confirmed he had mental health issues.

It now seems investigators are being forced to consider whether Mr Roberts was living for years alongside Mr Snellman’s body.