Man murdered in St Kilda flat in ‘targeted attack’
LATEST: POLICE are hunting for a Melbourne man following a brutal murder where a St Kilda man was hacked to death with an axe.
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POLICE are hunting for a Melbourne man following a brutal murder where a St Kilda man was hacked to death with an axe.
Homicide Sqaud detectives appealed for the public to help them locate Earl Jones, 29, last night.
Jones is described as 175cms tall and of medium build with dark hair and eyes and authorities are urging him to hand himself in.
It is believed Mr Jones may be able to assist police with finding out more on the death of 45-year-old Stephan Lowry, whose body was found at The Regal boarding home on Little Grey St, St Kilda yesterday.
Detective Mick Hughes from the Homicide Squad said the attack on Mr Lowry had been “brutal” with his body discovered in the first floor flat by a neighbour around 5am.
Mr Lowry lived alone and had been killed with a weapon after an argument broke out in the early hours of Monday morning, Det Hughes said.
“It’s definitely a targeted attack, no doubt about it,” he said.
“The motive could be relationship based but at this early stage we’re not sure.”
Mourning mates who hung at the edges of the crime scene described Mr Lowry as a kind and “gentle soul” who wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Long term friend Ash Sumner pushed through the crime scene and flung herself crying and in shock on the pavement upon news her “best mate” had been killed.
“I just can’t understand who would do something like that to him ... he was such a kind, gentle guy,” she said through tears.
“He was my best friend for years.”
Tim, a fellow resident of The Regal (a “men’s only” boarding home) and Mr Lowry’s next-door neighbour said he heard a scuffle in the middle of the night.
“I didn’t think anything of it,” he said.
“I’m scared now, I’d like to move out but I’ve got nowhere else to go.
“I’ll miss Stef, ... he always had time for me, for everyone.”
The Herald Sun understands police know the identity of the attacker but are yet to make an arrest.
A man wearing a backpack, a light coloured T-shirt and light khaki-coloured pants was seen shortly after the grim discovery walking down Little Grey St, toward Grey St.
Locals shocked by attack
Earlier a young woman carrying a grocery bag, dressed in leggings and a dark blue hoodie, pushed past the crime scene and ran toward the first floor apartment.
She crumpled to the ground for several minutes, apparently distressed, while a police officer appeared to chat with her.
After she composed herself, officers walked alongside her, escorting her back toward Grey St where she yelled incoherently and walked off.
Shortly after, the 45-year-old male victim’s body was removed from the scene by coroners.
Police Inspector Jason Kelly said community concern should be very limited.
“It’s definitely a targeted attack, so we want to reassure the community in St Kilda to go about their business as usual,” he said.
Neighbours said they believed The Regal complex was a “halfway house”.
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said he thought he heard yelling in the area about 1am.
Local Michaela Berry, whose unit backs onto Little Grey St said she was “unfortunately” not shocked to learn of the grim discovery.
Ms Berry, who has been living on Little Grey St since 2012 said it was a street that had seen its fair share of trouble.
“There are lots of boarding homes on Little Grey St that house people who are going though troubled times,” she said.
“There are prostitutes on Grey St, just around the corner, and drug users, but I’d be extremely disappointed if they were moved on.
“It’s one of the things I love about living here ... that these marginalised people can actually finally feel accepted.
“I’m proud to say that I know my neighbours. I doubt I would have known the man who passed away this morning, but if he was a boarder I would have passed him by and waved I’m sure.”
Ms Berry added that despite another neighbour’s claims to have heard screams and shouts about 1am, she heard nothing.
“My unit backs right on to (where the crime scene is set up) and I didn’t hear a sound last night,” she said.
A Little Grey St resident, who frequently walks past The Regal apartment complex said he was terrified.
“I was walking past in the early hours of this morning like I often do ... walked straight past,” he said.
“If it was a murder that’s so scary ... it could have been me.
“I’ve had people jump out at me before on this street.
“I definitely won’t be taking this street anymore after this.”
He added he believed where the man was found was a common spot for drug deals.
“I’ve often seen people scoring drugs there,’ he said.
“Most of the houses on Little Grey St are government housing too.”
Several local workmen said the discovery came as no surprise to them.
The tradesmen said there was always a heavy police presence in the laneway.
“We start early and we see lots of drug users here,” one man said.
“As soon as I heard a body was discovered in St Kilda on the radio, I knew it was this laneway.
“It’s horrible, very sad. But I’m not sure if it’s shocking.
“My initial thought is an overdose, just because we’re constantly seeing people use drugs here.”
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make an anonymous report via crimestoppersvic.com.au