Man released after woman’s ‘horror’ death in South Yarra

The death of a woman in the stairwell of a South Yarra apartment block will continue to be investigated after a man was released without charge.

A man was questioned but released without charge over the death of a woman at a South Yarra apartment block.

Residents described a “horror” scene after the 63-year-old woman’s body was found in an open-air stairwell of the Surrey Road public housing complex on Saturday night.

Police arrested a 41-year-old man who told reporters he was a neighbour of the woman as he was led away for questioning, barefoot and handcuffed. “I didn’t murder her,’’ he said.

No charges were laid and he was released pending further inquiries late Sunday night.

Police said in a statement they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.

Police arrest a man at the Surrey Road apartments. Picture: Tony Gough

The woman was found in the stairwell of an apartment complex. Picture: Tony Gough

Witnesses described the discovery as “a horror scene”. Picture: Tony Gough

Homicide Squad detectives and forensics at the scene. Picture: Tony Gough

Residents of an adjoining apartment complex told the Herald Sun they saw the woman’s body from their building about 9pm and phoned triple-0.

One woman, who did not wish to be named, described what she saw on the stairs as “a horror scene”.

“Her head was on the ground. She was upside down,” the woman said.

“It was awful. I couldn’t sleep last night … she died cold on a concrete floor. This shouldn’t be happening.”

A resident said he was ­“always concerned” about his safety, also branding the event as “shocking”.

Forensic investigators were seen entering the building. Picture: Tony Gough

Residents were allowed to come and go on Sunday but the building was taped off to the public as forensic officers left the premises with multiple bags of evidence throughout the morning.

Investigators could be seen from the ground examining the stairwell, on the fourth floor, and the nearby balcony.

“The exact cause of death is yet to be determined at this stage but her death is being treated as suspicious,” a police statement said.

“Homicide Squad detectives continue to investigate the death and are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.”

78-YEAR-OLD FOUND DEAD IN CHELSEA HOME

A 78-year-old woman was found dead at Chelsea on Saturday morning.

Police were conducting a welfare check when they discovered the body of a 78-year-old woman inside a property on Drinan Rd, Chelsea about 10.30am on Saturday.

Her cause of death is at this stage unknown but Homicide Squad detectives were at the scene during the evening, as several police vehicles occupied the closed-off street.

The woman’s next-door neighbour, Claire, said the woman was a “bright and clever lady” who had lived in her Chelsea home for the last 10 years.

“She was easy to get along with … very clever and computer savvy,” she said.

The neighbour said the women had a “European background” and immigrated to Australia from Europe.

“She was in Hungary in the early years [of her life]. During the Nazi regime, her father was in a concentration camp. I think that a lot of her relatives were too.”

The neighbour said she wondered about the woman’s whereabouts after she hadn’t seen her over the last few days.

“But I didn’t do much about it because she had been travelling back and forth to see her family who live near the city,” she said.

“I thought that was where she was.”

Claire said she is still processing her neighbour’s death.

“I’ll probably never come to terms with it, it is just so unreal,” she said.

“I’m still in shock.”

Another neighbour said police did not block off the street until “many hours” after they arrived at the woman’s residence.

“We thought it was initially something quite minor,” he said.

It was only after detectives arrived in the afternoon and sectioned off the street with blue and white tape, when he thought the incident “had escalated into something far bigger.”

He said he never met the elderly woman despite residing on the street for the last two years but added “you could live here for years and not know who lives here”.

He described the neighbourhood as “really quiet and pleasant … where nothing ever happens.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

YOUNG WOMAN KILLED IN ST ANDREWS CRASH

A 23-year-old woman has died after her car hit a tree in St Andrews on Saturday morning.

The vehicle, which had veered off the road near Ninks Rd, was spotted by emergency services at 7.50am as they travelled along Heidelberg-Kinglake Rd in Melbourne’s northeast.

“The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined and investigations are ongoing,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

The woman was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Victoria Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Heidelberg-Kinglake Rd was closed in both directions between Olives Lane and Mount Everard Track, with motorists advised to use the Melba Hwy instead.

The road has since reopened.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or with dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.