By Lachlan Abbott
A 45-year-old man has been charged with murder after a woman’s body was found in green waste at a recycling tip in Melbourne’s north last week.
Police said staff at Repurpose It, a waste-management facility on Cooper Street in Epping, found the body while moving waste last Wednesday. Police believe the woman was a 67-year-old from Coolaroo.
Investigators believe the woman’s remains were inside a bin that was picked up outside a property on Hilgay Street in Coolaroo last Tuesday and taken to the Epping waste facility, about eight kilometres away.
On Tuesday night, police announced that homicide detectives had arrested a 45-year-old Coolaroo man in Glenroy about 11.15am and would interview him. He was later charged with murder.
“The woman, who is yet to be formally identified, is believed to be a 67-year-old Coolaroo woman,” police said in a statement. “It’s believed the pair were known to each other.
“A significant CCTV canvass of the Coolaroo area remains ongoing and police are keen to speak to anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage, particularly between Sunday, June 23, and Tuesday, July 2.“
It’s believed the pair were known to each other.
On Saturday, forensic officers and homicide detectives spent hours inspecting a brick house on Hilgay Street, photographing items on a blue tarpaulin in the driveway and searching through bins.
A neighbour who has lived on the quiet suburban street for more than 30 years, Beatriz Betancur, said a woman who lived in the home had only recently moved in.
Betancur said she had only spoken to the older lady once, didn’t know her name and believed she lived alone.
“She was just a normal person, to me,” Betancur said. “It’s scary. This street is very safe. It’s very quiet. Most of the people here are old people, like me.”
Repurpose It chief executive George Hatzimanolis said the company was co-operating with investigators.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that a body was discovered at the FOGO [food organics, garden organics] delivery shed at our facility on Wednesday,” he said on Saturday.
“Our staff members who made this tragic discovery are understandably shaken, and we are ensuring they receive the support and counselling they need.”
The man has been remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
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