Woman slept with rotting corpse for years in a case that has shocked Australia

In a case that has shocked Australia, a woman lived with her brother’s dead body for years in one of Victoria’s most affluent suburbs.

A woman lived with her brother’s dead body for years in a rat-infested “house of horrors” in one of Victoria’s most affluent suburbs, in a case that has sent shockwaves across Australia.

Multiple complaints were made about the mentally unwell woman, a known hoarder who kept piles of rubbish in and around her commission unit.

Her brother had not been seen for years, but when the woman was arrested on an unrelated matter, his bloody skeleton was removed from the stinking home.

As well as a skeleton, officers found floor-to-ceiling rubbish, rats, dead possums and human faeces.

It it believed the woman could have been living with the corpse for up to five years.

New details have emerged this week about the horrific conditions inside the home in Geelong, in regional Victoria, more than a year after the man’s body was found by police.

Neighbours say they are still traumatised by the grisly discovery as questions continue to be asked about how the so-called “house of horrors” wasn’t uncovered sooner.

The house on Russell Street in Geelong. Picture: Alan Barber

A spokesperson for Victoria Police told news.com.au police attended an address in Newtown, in Geelong, for a welfare check on a male resident on December 28, 2022.

“Officers attended the Russell Street property about 6pm and located the male deceased inside,” the spokesperson said.

Forensic specialists in biohazard suits retrieved what was left of the man on December 29, 2022.

Newtown is considered one of the most affluent neighbourhood’s in Geelong.

The average house price currently sits at an eye-watering $1.1 million.

A woman is arrested in Newtown in December 2022 after the man’s remains were found inside her unit. Picture: Emily Drought

Nicole Stratton, a neighbour of the Russell Street house of horror. Picture: Alan Barber

Residents on Newtown’s Russell street described the unit as a “house of horrors”, according to the Geelong Advertiser.

Neighbour Nicole Stratton said a build-up of “utter filth” had masked the stench of the decaying corpse.

“There was always a smell but we just thought it was the piles of rubbish,” the 31-year-old told the publication.

“The blinds were always down and you could see the mould on the back of them.

“The carport was constantly filled with trash.

“There were rats everywhere, it was honestly disgusting.”

Police at the Newtown unit before retrieving the body.

Ms Stratton said numerous residents consistently complained to Geelong Council and Victoria’s Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) about the mess.

“We complained to housing about the mess, and they would do checks but she would never open the door for them,” she said.

Ms Stratton said the situation has been “traumatic” for residents.

“My eldest still won’t go outside at night, she is scared,” she said.

Another resident on the street who did not want to be named, said the lack of action was “crazy”.

“I can safely say there was no routine inspection or welfare check on that individual for at least a year and possibly more,” he said.

“You have residents raising all these concerns and it falls on deaf ears, you start thinking what the f***.

“It is crazy.”

One of the rooms inside the Newtown unit.

Geelong businesswoman Linda Jenkins said “red flags” were raised to government bodies about the alleged bizarre behaviour of the woman.

A City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) spokesperson confirmed to the Geelong Advertiser that complaints were made about the condition of the unit prior to the discovery of the man’s body.

It’s believed a council staff member attempted to engage with the tenant on one occasion before contacting DFFH.

Health concerns were also raised with the city by several concerned Russell St residents.

Piles of rubbish were uncovered at the property.

“The property owner (DFFH) was contacted and they stated that appropriate action would be taken,” the CoGG spokesman said.

DFFH spokesman said welfare checks had been made “since 2021” after growing concerns over a lack of contact, lack of access and the poor state of the property.

“This is a tragic incident,” the spokesman said.

The woman who lived alongside the body has not been charged over the death.

The man’s cause of death has not been made public and the coroner is investigating.

The property has remained vacant for over a year and is expected to be upgraded later this year.