Vergel Velasquez murder: Sixth person charged over Sydney dad's murder

A sixth person has been arrested over the murder of Sydney father Vergel Velasquez, who was found fighting for life in the stairwell of his apartment five days after Christmas in 2019. He died just one day later - on New Year’s Eve. 

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Police have made yet another breakthrough in the "horrendous" murder of a father in Sydney's west last year, charging a sixth person with murder as part of an ongoing investigation into the gruesome attack.

It was the afternoon of Monday 30 December. Detectives were called to a unit block on Mia Mia Street in Girraween in Sydney’s west following reports a brawl had erupted between a group of men.

Police arrived to find 42-year-old Vergel Velasquez fighting for his life with horrific head injuries in the stairwell of the complex in what’s been described as a random attack.

42-year-old Vergel Velasquez died on New Year’s Eve in 2019 after being found with critical head injuries in a stairwell near his apartment. Picture: NSW Police

He was treated at the scene and taken to Westmead Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the following day - on New Year’s Eve.

Inquiries into the horrific attack commenced and two units in Granville were raided, where items of interest were seized. Further investigations led to the seizure of a white Holden station wagon at Moree - believed to be used by the callous attackers to flee the scene.

Following a tip-off from the public after CCTV of six men leaving the unit on the day of the murder was released, police have charged a sixth person over the heartless attack.

The 35-year-old woman was arrested at a Kingsford unit 1.30pm on Tuesday, before being taken to Maroubra Police Station and charged with murder. The Guildford woman was refused bail to front Waverley Local Court today.

The arrest comes after a  Lidcombe man was also charged over the murder on Monday.  Four men - aged 41, 42, 49 and 50 - were last month charged and they all remain before the courts. 

A fifth man was on Monday charged as part of ongoing investigations into death of Vergel Velasquez,

It comes after homicide detectives released CCTV vision of six men. Picture: NSW Police

Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, described the murder as “horrendous."

“Mr Velasquez was an innocent victim in this attack – he was left with injuries so severe that he sadly lost his life 24 hours later, on what should have been a day of celebration being New Year’s Eve... for the family it's a day of tragedy.

“It’s clear, he was a non-violent person, he wouldn't harm anyone. For this to happen... I don’t think the community can stand this.”