Shu Jian Lim’s grisly death possibility linked to drug syndicate
The grisly fate of a man whose body was wrapped in plastic and dumped in a creek may be connected to a drug syndicate, with the homicide squad releasing fresh details in a push to solve the brutal crime.
Police & Courts
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The grisly fate of a man whose body was wrapped in plastic and dumped in a creek may be connected to a drug syndicate.
The homicide squad has released first details on the case of Shu Jian Lim, as detectives make a fresh push to solve the brutal crime.
University students doing research at Mount Cottrell, in Melbourne’s west, discovered his remains on September 17, 2015.
He had been wrapped in black plastic and was found on a sandbank at Cobbledicks Ford Reserve, near Dukelow Rd.
Mr Lim, a 26-year-old Malaysian national living in Point Cook, had last been seen alive seven months earlier at a friend’s house.
That sighting, at a property in Covent Gardens, Point Cook, was made on February 20, 2015.
Police have released a WeChat image from the last phone call he made, to his girlfriend, shortly before he was lured away and murdered.
Detective Inspector Tim Day, of the homicide squad, said investigators had spoken to those present when he was last seen at the house.
“The story given by those in the house doesn’t stack up … doesn’t make sense,” he said.
Mr Lim, who was in Australia on an overstayed temporary visa, was connected to figures involved in growing hydroponic cannabis in houses.
“One avenue of inquiry for investigators has been that Lim’s death is possibly connected to a drug syndicate that was operating in the area at the time,” Insp Day said.
Mr Lim’s silver Toyota sedan, registered XHS-070, was seen abandoned in Allen St, Laverton, after he disappeared.
It had been parked there by an Asian man who then climbed into a light-coloured 4WD.
Police were called to Allen St on March 5, by which time the car had different number plates, 1EB 8ZD, after its registration had been transferred.
The Toyota was seized.
Mr Lim’s sister reported him missing the same month but it was not confirmed he was dead until October when DNA confirmed the family’s fears.
Investigators have released CCTV from the nearby water treatment plant showing vehicles travelling past an exit route from the reserve.
They hope to speak to those who were in a white Hyundai Tucson which was seen leaving, although Insp Day said he did not know if it was connected.
“It’s not outside the realms of possibility that it may be linked to the persons dumping the body,” he said.
Insp Day said anyone with information who was scared to come forward because they were on an expired visa at the time could come forward anonymously.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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