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Man charged after Footscray General Cemetery graves allegedly disturbed

Police believe they have found two human skulls at a Spotswood home after a man was charged over the alleged disturbance of grave sites at a Footscray cemetery.

Two human heads stolen from Footscray General Cemetery

Police believe they have located the remains of two people at a Spotswood property.

A man has since been charged over the alleged disturbance of two grave sites in Footscray earlier this year.

Maribyrnong Crime Investigation Unit detectives arrested a 40-year-old Spotswood man on Friday after executing a warrant at his Mary St home.

One human skull was found inside a bedroom while another is believed to be buried outside.

He was charged with six offences including two counts of removing body parts from the corpse of a human being, exhuming or removing human remains from place of interment and criminal damage.

“Local detectives have been working tirelessly and with extreme sensitivity to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident,” A Victoria Police spokesperson said.

The man will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 17 August.

A Mary St home in Spotswood is cordoned off after police arrest a man over the alleged disturbance of Footscray graves.
A Mary St home in Spotswood is cordoned off after police arrest a man over the alleged disturbance of Footscray graves.

The man, who rents the property, was arrested at a different location on Friday.

Other people who live at the property have been interviewed by police but are not suspects in the case.

The SES has been called in to assist as detectives search for human remains believed to be buried in the front garden.

Members from the Hobsons Bay SES squad set up tarps to shield onlookers from the grisly scene about 3.30pm.

Officers allege human heads were stolen from mausoleums in two separate incidents at Footscray General Cemetery between January 27 and February 1.

Police at the home on Mary St in Spotswood. Picture: Josie Hayden
Police at the home on Mary St in Spotswood. Picture: Josie Hayden
The SES assists as police hunt for human remains. Picture: Brianna Travers
The SES assists as police hunt for human remains. Picture: Brianna Travers

A major police investigation was launched after two mausoleums were left badly damaged and coffins open in plain view of mourners.

The victims were not connected, indicating the sites were selected at random.

The man from the Mary St house is not related to either of the people whose remains were removed from the graves.

It is believed detectives from Maribyrnong CIU made a significant breakthrough late on Thursday.

The SES and police at the scene of the arrest. Picture: Brianna Travers
The SES and police at the scene of the arrest. Picture: Brianna Travers

They moved early this morning, speaking to the resident and sealing off the property for searching and forensic examination.

It is believed at least one head has been recovered from inside the house.

Investigators are still scouring the rest of the property, including outdoors.

The case had been a major priority for police for the past two months on two fronts.

The force was desperate to have the remains returned to their loved ones and because of the potential risk posed by someone capable of raiding a crypt and stealing body parts.

Neighbours have described it as a close-knit community. Picture: Josie Hayden
Neighbours have described it as a close-knit community. Picture: Josie Hayden

Several detectives were at the scene on Friday afternoon.

The investigation is ongoing.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/man-arrested-after-footscray-general-cemetery-graves-allegedly-disturbed/news-story/4c1d7d398abb7173ba0dfa6e2b7feb1f