Friends and acquaintances of a woman from Melbourne, feared to have been murdered, are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward. Julia Neira, a 64-year-old, was discovered severely beaten at Dandenong Hospital nearly two weeks after her disappearance, which raised alarms when her neighbour reported her missing.
Neira was last seen conversing with a man outside her apartment in Noble Park. Following her disappearance, she was located in the hospital with critical injuries, including significant head trauma, and sadly passed away on Friday night, prompting a murder investigation.
Described as a gentle and caring individual by her friend Suzanne, Neira had made her apartment her home for seven years, with neighbours forming her close support network as her family resides in Chile. The sense of loss within the community is palpable, as one neighbour expressed the anxiety and concern they felt during her absence.
Before her death, Neira had been interviewed by investigators. While they have questioned a man known to her, he has not been charged in connection with the case as of yet. The search for answers continues, as friends of Neira implore the public for any information that may assist in the ongoing investigation.