Body found in Richmond flat, police treating as suspicious

MELBOURNE residents are in shock, with mystery surrounding the death of a man who was found in a gruesome state in his housing commission flat.

Homicide Squad are at scene in Elizabeth Street, Richmond. Sunday, November 8. 2015. Picture: David Crosling

RICHMOND residents are in shock as mystery surrounds the death of an elderly man found in his housing commission flat on Elizabeth St.

Neighbours told the Herald Sun the man had died in a gruesome manner, possibly involving scissors in his eyes, but police are yet to confirm details of his death.

Forensics teams and detectives entered the building throughout the afternoon.

Forensic police officers enter the building.

Concerned neighbours gathered at ground level in shock for several hours.

Local children continued to play at the site, talking to each other about a man found dead on level five.

The homicide squad was called to the scene shortly after noon, however it is believed the man may have been dead for several days as he had not been seen by neighbours for quite some time.

Security guards were restricting access to the building.

Residents gather outside the building.

Forensic police outside the flats.

Neighbour Trang To, 48, said she was frightened of living so close to a crime scene as she had young children.

“I won’t tell my kids about it because it will worry them,” she said.

Local residents said there was lots of yelling on the site with high tensions between different racial groups.

The area is known as a regular drug haunt. Local resident Kim said she heard the man was found in a “terrible” state.

“His friend went to check on him today, only for him to not open the door,” she said.

“He was found with scissors in his eyeballs, apparently.”

Police are treating the death as suspicious. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Originally published as Body found in Richmond flat, police treating as suspicious