Man charged with murder of missing Colombian Sergio Cuesta

A man accused of killing a Colombian national who went missing more than four months ago has faced court for the first time.

Missing Colombian national Sergio Cuesta. Picture: Supplied

A man accused of killing missing Colombian national Sergio Cuesta has appeared in court for the first time.

Mount Eliza man Michael Frankland, 49, fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with the murder of Mr Cuesta, 28, who was last seen in Chelsea Heights more than four months ago.

Wearing a white T-shirt and using crutches, Mr Frankland showed little emotion as he was brought into the dock by custody officers.

Prosecutors requested 15 weeks to prepare a brief of evidence, nine weeks longer than the usual allocation, to allow time for e-crime and forensic analysis.

Mr Frankland’s lawyer opposed the request, saying not enough detail had been provided to warrant the delay and prosecutors could return to court asking for an extension at a later date.

“I’ve got a very limited remand summary … the circumstances at this stage is no body has been recovered,” she said.

“Fifteen weeks, in my opinion your Honour, is excessive without knowing what that analysis is.”

Magistrate Jarrod Williams denied the request and set March 13 as the return date for the brief.

The court heard Mr Frankland had a number of health issues, including chronic heart failure, and was recovering from surgery for a broken leg.

No details about the allegations against him were outlined and he was remanded to reappear in court on April 24.

Sergio Cuesta. Picture: Supplied

Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad on Tuesday also arrested a 48-year-old Cranbourne man.

Police also seized three firearms, a pill press, dried cannabis, cannabis crops, cocaine, a crossbow and a conducted energy device from the Mt Eliza address.

The Cranbourne man was released pending further inquiries.

Mr Cuesta, 28, was last seen about 8.15pm on September 16 when he was dropped off by a male friend at a house on Jabiru Drive, Chelsea Heights

Police say he did not say why he was visiting the property.

Mr Cuesta was reported missing by a female friend on September 21 after she failed to hear from him for days.

“Sergio had also not made any contact with his family in Colombia, which was unusual as he often spoke to them daily,” a Victoria Police statement said.

“His disappearance is considered completely out of character.”

Police believe he is the victim of foul play.

Mr Cuesta was on bail for drug offences at the time he disappeared and was known to have contact with people in the drug trafficking world.

He had been living in a Queens Rd apartment on an expired student visa before disappearing.

Local police made inquiries after the missing persons report, including making sure Mr Cuesta had not left the country.

Missing persons squad investigators have in recent months been speaking with his associates in Melbourne to find CCTV and nail down his movements before vanishing.

He had spent time in Queensland in the weeks leading up to September 16.

Investigators are trying to find anyone in the Sunshine State who has information on why he was there or who anything about his disappearance.

Mr Cuesta is about 170cm tall with a solid build and dark hair.

He was wearing a black T-shirt, black pants and black sneakers when last seen.

Detective Inspector David Dunstan from the Missing Persons Squad said while Mr Cuesta was involved in the drug trade it was still “every parent’s worst nightmare” for a loved one to go missing.

He would speak with his mother overseas “on a daily basis”.

“Having his parents in Colombia, so far away, just makes it all that worse,” he said.

“We’re really seeking some answers to help that connection to bring him back to his mother.”

Inspector Dunstan said the 28-year-old had been at a birthday dinner party on September 16 when he asked his mate to drive him to Chelsea Heights without explanation.

“He didn’t indicate why he was going to that address,” he added.

“(His mate) drove him there and dropped him off, and that was the last time he was seen.

“We’re particularly keen to speak to anybody who may know where he was prior to his disappearance or the reasons as to why he would have been going to Chelsea Heights on the night he disappeared.

“We’re appealing to anyone in the Colombian community who may know what happened to Sergio, or where he was going on that night, or any conversation leading up to his disappearance to come forward.”

Anyone with other information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website www.crimestoppersvic.com.au