Steven Finlay one of two men found dead in Redfern boarding house
A 52-year-old man found dead alongside his partner in bloody scenes at a boarding house in Sydney has been identified and remembered as “a nice bloke.”
Police & Courts
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Tributes have started to flow for a man found dead alongside his partner after a bloody dispute allegedly broke out between the pair at a boarding house in Sydney’s inner city.
Steven Finlay, 52, was found dead and still clasping his phone about 11.45pm on Saturday, moments after he was heard fighting with another man at a boarding house on Cleveland St, Redfern.
Neighbours said Mr Finlay was a resident at the boarding house and the other man was his 32-year-old partner of several months, who frequently stayed at the property.
A local resident who lived next to the pair, who wished to be known only as John, heard the pair clashing moments before the room went quiet and police found their bloodstained bodies.
“It was like he punched his mate at the wall and I woke up and said ‘what the f … are you doing, stop it’.
“I heard ‘bang bang bang’, then it went dead quiet and the police came,” he said.
“They’re always fighting, I hear it.”
After police arrived following a concern for welfare report, John walked past the room and saw the pair covered in blood and lifeless on the ground.
“There was blood. A lot of blood. All on his arm. It looked like his arm had gone through glass,” he said.
“He had his phone in his hand, poor bugger.”
Another local resident, Michael Hannah, said he hadn’t seen the couple for a few days.
“It was a bit out of the ordinary. He’s lived here for a few years.”
Landlord Brian remembered Mr Finlay as a “nice bloke,” and another resident said the couple seemed very much in love.
“They were likeable blokes,” he said.
While neighbours claimed the pair were in a loving relationship, NSW Police would only confirm the men are “known to each other.”
Police from South Sydney Area Command have set up a crime scene, and with the assistance from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, officers are investigating the incident under Strike Force Menlow.
NSW Police have not ruled out foul play, and say all lines of inquiry are still open.
No charges have been laid and police have not alleged any other person was involved in the deaths.
Forensic detectives on Sunday set-up a blue body tent in the laneway behind the terrace, described as a ‘long-term boarding house’, as they scoured the property for clues and spoke with neighbours.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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