Police in south-eastern Melbourne have released new CCTV footage as part of their investigation into the death of a 52-year-old man last week. The deceased had been staying at a Dandenong motel with his partner, a 50-year-old woman.
The CCTV footage captures him leaving the motel on Thursday at 6:57pm for a walk, a routine he often followed, and returning around 7:43pm. He walked with a noticeable limp and suffered from leg cramps, frequently using his walks to relieve discomfort.
In the early hours of the following day, he left the motel again around 2:03am but failed to return, leading his partner to report him missing. A passerby discovered the man injured on Fifth Avenue at 6:55am, after which he was taken to hospital, where he sadly passed away on Saturday.
Authorities have confirmed that the man died from head injuries, but the circumstances surrounding these injuries remain unclear. The last recorded footage of him shows him alive and well at 2:11am, yet the details of his final moments and how he sustained the injuries are still unknown.
Detectives are appealing for any witnesses who were in the vicinity during this timeframe, particularly those with CCTV, ringcam, or dashcam footage, to assist in the investigation. Several passersby were caught on camera around the time he went missing, and police are especially interested in speaking with them.
Detective Inspector Rob Nazaretian stated that foul play has not been ruled out, emphasising the uncertainty surrounding the incident. “At this point, investigators have been unable to definitively establish the circumstances leading to this man’s death, which could include a physical assault or other causes,” he noted.
Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.