Body found in bin in Preston

UPDATE: A garbage truck operator has made the “distressing” discovery of a dead man’s body inside a wheelie bin in Melbourne’s north, after he was called to make a pick up in the neighbourhood.

A body has been discovered in a bin by a garbage collector in Preston.

A GARBAGE truck operator has made the grisly discovery of a dead man’s body inside a wheelie bin in Melbourne’s north this morning.

Neighbours to the Butler St residence in Preston called Darebin City council after a bin, not from the council, was spotted in the street.

Detective Sergeant Mark Butterworth said the truck was called to “make a pick up” and arrived around 8.10am.

“As the truck was emptying a wheelie bin into the truck, he’s observed what appeared to be a body,” he said.

“The driver is quite distressed.

Police and the rubbish truck on the scene at the corner of Butler and Young Streets in Preston. Picture: Hamish Blair

Police are investigating after the body was found by garbage collectors. Picture: Hamish Blair

“It appears the bin doesn’t come from where it was picked up.

“A resident from the street has observed the bin in the street and has rung up the council.

“The circumstances of the death are being treated as suspicious.”

The male has not been identified yet and homicide squad detectives remain on scene.

Police would not comment on the condition of the body.

Police said they are still “canvassing neighbours” and investigations remain ongoing as they comb the crime scene for clues and try to find CCTV footage from neighbouring properties.

Neighbours tell the Herald Sun bin night is usually on Monday.

The garbage collector was called by a neighbour to collect the bin where the body was discovered. Picture: Hamish Blair

“We’ve always had an element of dubiousness in the suburb, we’re surrounded by housing commission properties,” neighbour Dimtri Bradas said.

Three garbage collectors left the scene with detectives around 10am.

When asked about the incident, one garbage collector told the Herald Sun: “I know nothing about it, mate.”

It’s unknown if an auction due to take place today at 26a Young St will go ahead.

“It’s a family-friendly area,” Nelson Alexander real estate agent Colin Abbas said.

“There’s no doubt this incident will impact the sale today.

“You’d have to have second thoughts if you turned up and saw this.”