A tragic incident unfolded on Phillip Island, Victoria, when Paul Waylen, an 84-year-old businessman and cherished grandfather, was found deceased in his Cowes home. The respected father-of-three, who ran his own engineering firm, was discovered by tradesmen around 10 am. Meanwhile, his 55-year-old son was located nearby with injuries believed to be self-inflicted, and has since been hospitalised under police supervision at St Vincent’s Hospital.
Authorities are treating Waylen’s death as suspicious and maintain an open-minded approach to the ongoing investigation. Detective Inspector Dean Thomas stated that various circumstances could be relevant, urging a measured and careful examination of the case.
The Cowes community, home to approximately 7,000 residents, has been shaken by the incident. Local residents expressed their shock, noting how rare such occurrences are in their tight-knit area, which thrives on a strong sense of community.
Detectives spent considerable time at the scene as part of the investigation, with a postmortem examination scheduled to provide further clarity. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward, contacting police or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000. Additionally, support services are available for those affected by the event, with Lifeline reachable at 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636.