Investigation underway after bodybuilder dies while being arrested in Victoria

An investigation is underway to determine if a Melbourne bodybuilder’s death was caused by a heavy-handed arrest.

An investigation is underway to determine if a Melbourne bodybuilder’s death was caused by a heavy-handed arrest, which allegedly included an officer kneeling on his back.

The investigation will also take into account that Joel Grech was suspected of drug use and had been involved in two violent assaults leading up to his death.

On Wednesday, 24-year-old Grech died during an altercation with police, who were attempting to arrest him for a violent rampage that left a 73-year-old man unconscious in Craigieburn.

An investigation is underway to determine if a Melbourne bodybuilder’s death was caused by a heavy-handed arrest, which allegedly included an officer kneeling on his back. Picture: Supplied

Witnesses reported seeing police holding Grech face down on the pavement, with one officer pushing their knee into his back.

After Grech‘s death, the elderly father and his 33-year-old son, who had been attacked by Grech, were arrested and questioned by homicide detectives but were later released.

Criminal lawyer George Balot, who represents the elderly father, said his client was a “law-abiding family man” who was trying to protect his property when he was attacked by Grech.

Balot believes that the right to protect one‘s property and causation will be central issues in the investigation, and CCTV footage will show that his client did nothing wrong.

Witnesses reported seeing police holding Grech face down on the pavement, with one officer pushing their knee into his back. Picture: Supplied

The police have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that officers from the Professional Standards Command, who investigate employees suspected of criminality or misconduct, are overseeing the investigation, which is standard practice.

No officers have been suspended from their duties during the investigation.

The police are awaiting the autopsy results to determine the cause of Grech‘s death.