By Ashleigh McMillan
A 76-year-old man has appeared in court after being charged with murder following the discovery of a woman’s body at a home in Melbourne’s north-west on Thursday night.
Police were called to an Andrea Street residence after the body of a 48-year-old woman was found at about 7.20pm on Thursday.
Juan Gonzalez, 76, from St Albans attended a police station a short time later and was taken into custody.
A spokeswoman for Victoria Police said “both parties are believed to be known to each other”.
The 48-year-old woman’s death makes her the third woman to die in suspicious circumstances in Melbourne in the past week, after a woman was allegedly murdered by her son in Chelsea and another woman’s body was found in a South Yarra apartment stairwell.
The St Albans man has been charged with one count of murder and appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday night.
He did not apply for bail.
Mr Gonzalez’s lawyer, Thomas Isaacs, told the court his client had “physical health matters” which needed to be considered during his time in custody.
He said his client had “limited kidney function” and needed medication for blood pressure and cholesterol issues.
“He’s only operating on one kidney your honour, and it’s his first time in custody,” Mr Isaacs told the hearing via video link.
Mr Gonzalez was mostly silent during the hearing, except when thanking Magistrate Stella Stuthridge for acknowledging his medical issues and confirming he would see a healthcare worker.
The St Albans man will return to court on September 24.
In a separate incident, Judy Bednar, 78, was discovered by police conducting a welfare check at her property on Drinan Road, Chelsea about 10.30am on Saturday.
Her 53-year-old son, Thomas Bednar, was charged with murder on Monday evening.
Police also found a 63-year-old woman’s body inside an apartment block on Surrey Road in South Yarra at around 9pm on Saturday.
A 41-year-old South Yarra man was arrested in relation to the death on Sunday, but was released pending further inquiries.
Homicide squad detectives are also investigating after a woman’s body was found at a home in Geelong West on Friday afternoon. The exact circumstances of the death have not yet been determined.
Start your day informed
Our Morning Edition newsletter is a curated guide to the most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.