Police investigate body found at Tyabb property
POLICE this morning continue to piece together what led to a body being found in a shallow grave on the Mornington Peninsula, as neighbours reveal unusual things had been going on at the vacant rural property.
Law & Order
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THE circumstances surrounding a man’s body found buried in a shallow grave at a vacant rural property on the Mornington Peninsula remain a mystery.
Homicide Squad detectives investigating the suspected murder have refused to release many key details about the case or reveal who made the grisly discovery reported on Sunday night.
But evidence gathered from the crime scene in Tyabb suggests the man may have met a violent end, with duct tape and two black gloves among the items collected for forensic analysis.
Police are yet to establish any suspects but are treating the death as suspicious.
The body was discovered buried behind a shed on the vacant farm property on Dandenong-Hastings Road about 9pm on Sunday.
A large-scale crime scene was established as police and SES crews carefully combed the 29-acre lot for clues.
Police are yet to reveal the age of the deceased or how long they had been buried on the deserted farm.
Neighbours had originally speculated the body was that of a male and Victoria Police confirmed this on Monday night.
The body was exhumed and taken from the farm about 6pm to undergo an autopsy.
Post mortem results will be used to determine how and when the man died.
The case is expected to be treated as a murder investigation and crucial evidence used to unravel the mystery.
The rural property has been vacant for about two years and was recently put under contract.
Neighbours told the Herald Sun cars frequent the derelict property used for illegal dumping.
Suspicious car sightings have long been a concern for neighbour Bruce Thompson who has spoken to police.
“It became a dumping ground, there’s been various things dumped there like hard rubbish, cars, household waste, just like a tip,” he said.
“The lock has been on and off the gate for the past year.
“It’s just been a bit strange, there’s comings and goings that you don’t ask questions about.”
Mr Thompson, who has lived across the road for 18 years, said he had previously contacted police about cars parked outside the property and was told “we’ll keep an eye on it”.
The 11.7ha property is currently listed for sale with L. Cooper Real Estate in Somerville.
It is described as an exceptional land opportunity and charming rural property.
“Only one hours’ drive to the City via Peninsula Link, M1 motorway, three bay machinery shed, with numerous outbuildings centred around a very run down timber farm house,” the listing says.
“Renovate, detonate or build your dream home and capitalise on this wonderful opportunity this rural property has to offer.”
“The property is ideally suited for hobby farmer/horse enthusiast or horticulture production with a myriad of opportunity’s for the right buyer and includes large dam,” the sale listing continues.
The property is known as Alden Park.
A real estate agent earlier dropped off a set of keys to detectives for a padlock fixed to the property’s front gate.
Prior to gaining access to the driveway, police had only been seen entering and exiting the crime scene on foot.
A sign warning dumpers that the land is now under police surveillance is set to be hung outside the empty block.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.