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Shock as ‘sweet’ elderly woman named as alleged Maribyrnong River murder victim

Devastated friends and neighbours have remembered an 85-year-Footscray West woman as “sweet and friendly” after the horrific discovery of her body in the Maribyrnong River on Sunday.

Police divers attend scene of Maribyrnong river tragedy

A woman who was allegedly murdered before her body was dumped in the Maribyrnong River has been identified as 85-year-old Lolene Whitehand.

The body of the “sweet and friendly” elderly woman was discovered floating in the river about 10.30am on Sunday morning near Smithfield Rd in Flemington.

Witnesses said they found Ms Whitehand with her head and parts of her feet wrapped in plastic, with what appeared to be significant bruising on her left arm.

The horrific discovery, made by a passerby, came two days after a police appeal calling for members of the public to help locate Ms Whitehand after she vanished from her Footscray West home on July 12.

A Victoria Police spokesman at the time of her disappearance said she was last seen near her home on Glamis Rd about 4pm.

Friends and neighbours left devastated by Ms Whitehand’s death said she was friendly with all of her neighbours and enjoyed gardening.

The body of West Footscray woman Lolene Whitehand was found in the Maribyrnong River.
The body of West Footscray woman Lolene Whitehand was found in the Maribyrnong River.

Peter Spencer and Christine Spencer, who laid a bouquet of flowers at Ms Whitehand’s home on Wednesday, said she was known to often give friendly waves to her neighbours.

“I can’t believe that someone would do that to a very elderly lady who was very nice to everyone in the neighbourhood,” Mr Spencer said.

“She was very well-known around the area. Everyone would wave and talk to her.

“I was so surprised to see that she was missing. It was an absolute shock.”

Ms Spencer said: “When somebody passes away in this situation, there is not a lot you can do, so flowers were probably the best way to say: we’re thinking of you.”

Residents in surrounding streets were also very close to the elderly lady and would see her regularly.

Police at the scene of the grim discovery in the Maribyrnong River at Flemington. Picture: Tony Gough
Police at the scene of the grim discovery in the Maribyrnong River at Flemington. Picture: Tony Gough
Water Police trawl the Maribyrnong River at Flemington. Picture: Valeriu Campan
Water Police trawl the Maribyrnong River at Flemington. Picture: Valeriu Campan

It is understood Ms Whitehand lived alone at her single-storey home after her husband passed away about a decade ago, and that she was once a carer for her sister, who lived in nearby Yarraville.

It comes as the woman charged with her murder fought to have her identity suppressed.

A 49-year-old Footscray West woman fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where her lawyer successfully applied for her name and image to be banned from being made public.

It is unclear the reasons for the gag order, with the application being heard in a closed court.

All media and members of the public were forced to leave the courtroom as the accused killer entered the dock.

When the court re-opened, magistrate Stephen Ballek confirmed the media could not publish the woman’s name or photograph.

He made an interim suppression order, adjourning the case until Tuesday to allow for further submissions.

Floral tributes are left at the home of Lolene Whitehand. Picture: Supplied
Floral tributes are left at the home of Lolene Whitehand. Picture: Supplied

The woman, flanked by custody officers in the dock, did not say anything throughout the hearing, but had a noticeable limp as she was taken back into custody.

The court heard she has nerve damage to her lower back in which she takes panadeine forte and steroid injections.

She is also diagnosed with depression and anxiety in which she is medicated for, her lawyer said.

Detectives also questioned a 15-year-old boy, but released him without charge.

Investigators could be seen searching Ms Whitehand’s home about 1.30pm on Wednesday.

Uniformed police officers went door to door, questioning Ms Whitehand’s neighbours.

Detectives could also be seen at the home of the accused killer, collecting bags of evidence.

One investigator took a wheelie bin behind a gate to the property’s yard for inspection.

Neighbours said they saw police at the same property on Tuesday afternoon.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/shock-as-sweet-elderly-woman-named-as-alleged-maribyrnong-river-murder-victim/news-story/092d8a85a144419bbf785ae9abb9f754