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Steven Walker charged with murder after man’s body found in stairwell of Young Street apartments

A man accused of a savage apartment block murder in Box Hill laughed and murmured to himself as his case was heard in court.

Police were called to reports of an assault before a man’s body was found in the stairwell of the apartment block. Picture: David Crosling
Police were called to reports of an assault before a man’s body was found in the stairwell of the apartment block. Picture: David Crosling

A man accused of a savage apartment block murder laughed as his case was heard in court.

Steven Walker, 42, faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with murdering an associate inside the East Central Tower apartment block in Box Hill on Saturday night.

During the proceeding, Mr Walker murmured to himself and at one point started laughing.

He also interrupted the proceedings to tell Magistrate Donna Bakos that he suffers from anti-social personality disorder.

The court heard Mr Walker, who identifies as a First Nations man, has a broken left foot, injuries to both hands and is withdrawing from ice and cocaine.

Magistrate Bakos ordered he be seen by a custody nurse once in prison.

The prosecutor requested a significant extension of time for crime scene examination.

The man’s body was discovered about 7.45pm on Saturday. Picture: David Crosling
The man’s body was discovered about 7.45pm on Saturday. Picture: David Crosling
Forensic crews are on site following the discovery of the man’s body. Picture: David Crosling
Forensic crews are on site following the discovery of the man’s body. Picture: David Crosling
Police at the Young St apartment block. Picture: David Crosling
Police at the Young St apartment block. Picture: David Crosling

She said “extensive blood pattern analysis” would need to be undertaken, requesting 16 weeks for the completion of the hand up brief.

“An extra 10 weeks?” Magistrate Bakos asked.

The prosecutor said electronic devices and DNA evidence would also need to be examined.

Mr Walker was remanded to reappear in court on December 16.

Emergency services were called to the apartment building on Young St about 7.45pm on Saturday following reports of an assault.

Officers found a 48-year-old man dead in the stairwell.

Mr Walker was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital under police guard.

On Sunday, he was charged with murder.

The man’s body was removed from the apartment building on Sunday morning. Picture: David Crosling
The man’s body was removed from the apartment building on Sunday morning. Picture: David Crosling

The coroner could be seen removing a body from the apartment tower about 8am on Sunday, with public access to Fairbanks Lane restricted.

Police believe the parties involved were known to each other.

During the incident on Saturday night, two other individuals were assaulted with one receiving minor facial injuries.

East Central Tower resident Bowei Sutan said he “did not hear or notice anything” on Saturday night when emergency services were called.

Mr Sutan said police were not often called to the building.

“In general no, at least nothing serious. There were some thefts here before from the lockers.”

When Mr Sutan was asked about his reaction the crime scene he replied “it’s Melbourne”.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/man-found-dead-in-stairwell-of-box-hill-apartment-block/news-story/eef3b8274ffabeae5e5224eb37f4178f