Fitzroy Gardens death: Anas Abdulfatah murder charge failed court appearance

A man who was allegedly beaten to death in a random attack by a homeless man in Fitzroy Gardens regularly went there to feed the ducks.

Police search the fountain in Fitzroy Gardens after a man died in an alleged assault. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

A brutal attack in Fitzroy Gardens in which a Ringwood man was killed on Monday was reportedly random.

Seven news reported the 52-year-old man often visited the gardens to feed the ducks and was allegedly set upon and beaten to death randomly by a homeless man.

Despite being treated by paramedics at the scene, the man was unable to be saved.

Anas Abdulfatah, 36, was arrested and charged for the alleged murder.

He was a no show in court on Tuesday due to being too unwell to attend, with his lawyer citing mental health issues.

He was remanded to appear in court in December.

Investigators at the scene. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

A police diver searches the fountain in Fitzroy Gardens. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Police have remained tight-lipped over the incident. Picture: Jordan McCarthy

No details about the alleged murder were aired during the brief administrative hearing.

Prosecutors were granted a 12-week adjournment to allow time for the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine to prepare a report detailing the cause of death of the deceased.

No application for bail was made and Mr Abdulfatah was remanded to reappear in court on December 21.

There was a large police presence at the park on Monday morning, with a large section cordoned off.

An investigator in a wetsuit was seen searching a water fountain.

An elderly man, who did not want to be named, said he now carried “protection” when he visited the garden each day.

He said he was shocked by the lack of police presence, having seen them in the park “once in the last nine months”.

“I’ve been waiting for something like this to happen,” he said.

“I hate to see one of Melbourne’s prettiest areas turn into a predatory area.”

Nathaniel Soblario who often visits the gardens said it was a shock something like this happened at that hour.

“This is a quiet area and it’s quite scary that this thing happened,” he said.

“That time is quite busy already. This will be something people will have to be worried about.”