Homicide detectives probe Ursula Munze’s death, as family and friends pay tribute
A beloved elderly woman who was found dead at her Gippsland home has been remembered as a “lovely and kind” lady while homicide detectives continue to probe the circumstances of her death.
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A beloved elderly woman at the centre of a homicide probe has been remembered as a “lovely and kind” lady.
Ursula Munze, 74, was found dead at her home in Neerim South on March 2 in what friends have described as “a tragedy”.
An 83-year-old man, believed to be her husband, was also found at the rural home with non-life threatening injuries.
ELDERLY WOMAN DEAD, MAN UNDER POLICE GUARD
He remains in hospital more than two months later, as homicide detectives probe the “suspicious” case.
Ms Munze’s brother, John Petz, told the Herald Sun of his heartbreak over his older sister’s death.
The pair grew up together on a 12-acre hobby farm in NSW after Ms Munze immigrated from Germany as a child.
“She was a lovely person,” Mr Petz said.
“She looked after me.
“It was really her and me, even though she was almost seven years older than me.”
Ms Munze’s death rattled the West Gippsland town of Neerim South — home to about 1300 people — but has remained a mystery to many local residents.
Residents who lived on the same street were shocked by the killing, which came amid devastating fires that threatened neighbouring towns.
“A lot of people might not have known her,” said Kath Fusinato of her quiet but “lovely” friend.
“None of us thought that was going to happen. It’s just a tragedy.”
Ms Munze joined the town’s walking group about 18 months ago, and was often among those who lapped the nearby wetlands each Monday.
Personalised bookmarks, with photos showing the 74-year-old beaming at the camera, with family and as a girl, were handed out at her funeral in March.
“That is how we remember her — just a smiling face,” Ms Fusinato said of the photos.
“I understand from her family that she really loved the walking group.
“From that perspective, we are really happy that we could give her that.”
Another member of the walking group, Val Groombridge, described Ms Munze as a friendly and kind lady.
“If she saw you in the street, she would always say hello,” she said.
“It was quite a shock to people that someone would be killed in our small town.
“She has been laid to rest, and we hope peacefully.”