Paul Waylen’s son Frank Waylen was on the cusp of professional-level diving

A man who was arrested and later released by detectives over the death of his businessman father was close to representing Australia in the Commonwealth Games.

Frank Waylen was questioned over the death of his 86-year-old father Paul Waylen but was later released without charge. Picture: Facebook

The man who faced questioning by detectives after his elderly businessman father was found dead at his Cowes property once had prospects of becoming a professional diver.

Eighty six-year-old Paul Waylen’s body was discovered at the home on the corner of Church St and Justice Rd on Monday morning.

Police arrested his son, 55-year-old Frank Waylen, following requests for a welfare check in Ventnor, where he was found with several self-inflicted injuries.

He spent Tuesday recovering in hospital before being questioned by detectives.

Frank was found with several self-inflicted injuries. Picture: Facebook

He was released without charge later that night after a post mortem failed to determine his father’s official cause of death.

Whether there had been any tensions between the father and son would be a likely avenue of inquiry for detectives.

The Herald Sun understands that Frank was at one point on the path to becoming a professional diver with the possibility of competing in the Commonwealth Games.

It is believed that as a teenager and young man, he trained religiously and focused on little else.

Frank was at one point on the path to becoming a professional diver. Picture: Facebook

As Frank grew older, he was listed as a director of the engineering business his father had founded in the late 1980s.

His social media is littered with pictures of the outdoors and his love of AFL.

One snap pictured Frank smiling next to footy star Eddie Betts at what appeared to be a book signing.

Frank with Eddie Betts. Picture: Facebook

He regularly posted images of himself with a woman, believed to be his former partner, at popular Phillip Island venues, as well as on holidays.

Paul Waylen has been remembered as a “lovely gentleman” who was heavily involved in the local community.

He served as a director at San Remo District Financial which ran Bendigo Bank community branches as San Remo, Cowes and Grantville.

Frank was listed as a director of the engineering business his father had founded. Picture: Facebook

He was also an active member of the Phillip Island Golf Club, serving as the club’s president between 2008 and 2011.

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas of the Homicide Squad on Tuesday said information from the elderly man’s family and friends would be crucial to piecing together how his death unfolded.

Investigations into his death continue.

Originally published as Paul Waylen’s son Frank Waylen was on the cusp of professional-level diving