Homicide detectives investigating death of Paul Waylen, 86, at sprawling property at Cowes, Phillip Island

A respected businessman and entrepreneur has been remembered by his neighbours as a “lovely gentleman” after his body was found on a sprawling property at Cowes on Phillip Island.

A respected businessman and entrepreneur has been remembered by his neighbours as a “lovely gentleman” after his body was found on a sprawling property on Phillip Island.

The body of Paul Waylen, 86, was found after police were called to the walled property on the corner of Church St and Justice Rd at Cowes on Monday morning.

Homicide squad detectives are now probing his death, while a man — believed to be the son of Mr Waylen — was under police guard in hospital with self-inflicted injuries late Monday evening.

Mr Waylen, born in Elgin in the United Kingdom, was known for his involvement in the local business community having run an engineering business for more than four decades.

He also served as a director at San Remo District Financial which ran Bendigo Bank community branches as San Remo, Cowes and Grantville.

The body of Paul Waylen (left) was found dead at a sprawling property at Cowes on Monday. Picture: Supplied

The father-of-three co-founded Wiltshaw Farming Services with a relative in 1989, before the company later traded as Wiltshaw Engineering Services.

His son Frank served as a director alongside his father from 2000 onwards.

In 2022, he purchased a $15,000 bull at a popular West Gippsland auction, making it the third belonging to Wiltshaw Farming at the time.

Mr Waylen was also an active member of the Phillip Island Golf Club, serving as the club’s president between 2008 and 2011, and participating in several fundraisers and raffles.

The well-known business figure, who also appeared to enjoy regular games of bridge, was married to his late wife Verna until her passing in 2018 and is survived by their three children Sara, Emma and Frank.

Mr Waylen’s body was found at a large property at Cowes on Monday. Picture: Emma Sudano

According to neighbours, the Church St property where his body was found contained three houses, with the main dwelling understood to be inhabited by Mr Waylen.

Neighbours described the elderly man as a “lovely gentleman” and an “exceedingly wealthy entrepreneur” who split his time between Cowes and a property in Melbourne.

“We got up this morning and there’s an ambulance and a police car across the road,” a neighbour, who asked not to be named, told the Herald Sun.

“And then we noticed more police cars and the paramedics.

“I’m surprised, you never expect this sort of thing to happen – nothing ever happens in Cowes.”

Speaking on Tuesday, Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas told media no one else was found inside the property where Mr Waylen’s body was located.

He said a 55-year-old male, believed to be Mr Waylen’s son Frank, was found by police in nearby Ventnor with self-inflicted wounds.

It is alleged his son was visiting Mr Waylen at the property at the time of the tragedy.

The main gate of the property. Picture: Emma Sudano

“The male from Ventnor is currently in hospital in Melbourne being treated for his injuries. We haven’t yet had an opportunity to speak to him, but we will want to speak to him when he is in a position to,” Inspector Thomas said

“We’re trying to piece together what exactly has occurred down there at Cowes, and a post-mortem examination has been conducted today which will assist us to identify a cause of death.”

He said the man’s injuries were “serious enough” but survivable.

“He is in the best place getting the best of care,” Inspector Thomas said.

“We’re speaking to family, we’re speaking to friends, and we are speaking to anybody that knows those people to help us piece together what as happened.”

Police were still working through the investigation, he said, and could not confirm whether there had been previous disputes between the father and son.

“Investigators are out there speaking to people to try and understand the motive or what in fact has happened - it’s still very early,” Inspector Thomas said.

“It will take us some time to make sense of what has gone on.

“We’re very reliant on cause of death so we’ve just got to wait and see what that tells us. We don’t want to be jumping the gun - we just need to wait and take one step at a time.”

Inspector Thomas said the man has not yet been interviewed and no charges laid.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website www.crimestoppers.com.au.

Originally published as Homicide detectives investigating death of Paul Waylen, 86, at sprawling property at Cowes, Phillip Island