Man charged with murder after Maddingley resident found with life-threatening injuries near Stonehill Drive

New details have emerged from the day a 61-year-old man was found dying at his Maddingley property before a younger man was arrested for his alleged murder.

Moorabool detectives are investigating after a man was found injured in Maddingley on Thursday January 11. Picture: Supplied

Residents of a new estate west of Melbourne were shocked to learn a man was allegedly killed last week as new details emerge.

Aaron Bernath, 35, was charged with murder over the weekend after 61-year-old George Bernath was flown from a Maddingley property with life-threatening injuries before dying in hospital the next day.

Suburban homes lined the streets surrounding Stonehill Dr, part of a quiet estate nestled among the rolling hills that border Werribee Gorge State Park and the Bacchus Marsh West Golf Club.

The gate of the corner block home at Maddingley was ajar on Monday as investigators were still present at the scene with contact cards spotted on the doors of neighbouring properties.

Detectives were seen at Stonehill Dr, Maddingley on Monday after a 61-year-old was allegedly murdered last week.

Neighbours told the Herald Sun they had seen but never spoken with the alleged victim, 61-year-old George Bernath who they believed lived alone for at least two years.

They said the black ute was always there and they had occasionally seen the white 4WD — believed to belong to the accused — every couple of weeks.

One man said there was intrigue when the helicopter landed at the nearby park on Cosgrove Dr — usually a popular spot for kids — as police events were “definitely not common occurrences” in the “quiet area”.

“We were shocked, often you’ll hear the chopper overhead en route to Ballarat, but once it lowered amongst our very dense estate I figured something terrible happened,” he said.

“It’s a bit sad because I have not seen anyone come to visit the house to collect anything or leave flowers, I’m not sure maybe he lived away from his family.”

He said it was strange that no neighbours seemed to know the man as residents were “very approachable”.

The Stonehill estate is nestled among the hills of Werribee Gorge State Park and a Golf Club.

EARLIER

Police have charged a 35-year-old man with murder after a man with murder after a man in his 60s died after allegedly being attacked at his home in the state’s north west.

Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death of a man on Friday, January 12 following an incident in Maddingley near Bacchus Marsh.

Police were first called to the Stonehill Drive address to help Ambulance Victoria following reports a man had been injured about 7.40pm on Thursday, January 11.

Police cordoned off the Stonehill Drive, Maddingley property on Thursday night and detectives remained at the scene on Friday.

The 61-year-old man was flown to hospital in a critical condition with life-threatening injuries where he later died.

Another person at the home, a 35-year Maddingley man, was subsequently arrested.

Police on Sunday charged the man with murder.

The man will face Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday.

The 61-year-old was airlifted from a Cosgrove Dr park to hospital before he later died due to the injuries.

Police said the parties involved were known to each other.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.