Swan Hill man charged with murder over death of Bendigo artist Josh Penny

A Swan Hill man has been charged with murder after a Bendigo artist died following an alleged bashing at a Golden Square motel.

Josh Penny has died after he was allegedly attacked at a motel in Bendigo on January 2.

A man is facing a murder charge over a violent street attack last month that left a Bendigo artist dead.

34-year-old Bendigo artist Joshua Penny died from injuries he suffered in Golden Square on January 2.

He had spent the last two weeks fighting for life in hospital, but died earlier this week.

Detectives upgraded a 33-year-old Swan Hill man’s charges to murder, after he was initially charged with intentionally causing serious injury over the attack.

He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Bendigo Magistrates Court on April 2.

Mr Penny’s family wrote in a Facebook post: “It is with broken hearts and unbearable pain that we let you know that due to the severity of Josh’s injuries and deterioration over the last couple of days, Josh has lost the battle he has been fighting.

“His family are devastated and broken and will spend time to say their goodbyes.”

A GoFundMe campaign had been set up to support Mr Penny’s recovery and had raised nearly $6500 by the time of his death.

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However, detectives will now review the charges in light of the death.

Mr Penny, who was homeless, was well-known in the community for sitting outside various shops like Golden Square Woolworths and Eaglehawk and Long Gully IGA and drawing in his sketch pad.