A routine plumbing job at a holiday rental property on Phillip Island took a macabre turn this week when a team of tradesmen unearthed human skeletal remains.
Shock Discovery During Routine Excavation
The grim find occurred at approximately 8.35am on 15 January at a property on Hazelwood Court in the Silverleaves area. The workers were excavating to locate old sewer pipes when they made the shocking discovery.
One of the tradies, Riley Weinzierl, described the moment his colleague found what appeared to be a human skull. "He just pulled a bit of sand out and emptied his bucket, and that's when he saw the human head," Mr Weinzierl recounted. The team immediately halted their work and spotted further bones in the surrounding sand.
No remnants of clothing were found with the skeleton, which authorities believe belonged to an adult. The workmen decided against further excavation, with Mr Weinzierl stating, "Obviously, the more they dug, they probably would have found more. But we stopped."
Police Launch Major Investigation
Victoria Police swiftly established a crime scene following the report. In a significant development, detectives from the Homicide Squad have been deployed to lead the inquiry, indicating the potential for a suspicious death.
"A crime scene has been established and detectives from the Homicide Squad have been deployed to the scene," a police statement confirmed. The force also notified its Missing Persons Squad. The recovered bones have been sent for forensic testing to determine the identity of the individual and the circumstances surrounding their death.
Police emphasised that it is not yet clear whether the matter is suspicious, but the involvement of the homicide unit underscores the seriousness with which they are treating the discovery.
Homeowners' Horror and Hope for Closure
The holiday home, believed to have been built in the 1980s, was originally owner-occupied for around two decades before becoming a rental property. The current owners, Greg and his wife, purchased the home in one of Victoria's premier tourist spots just three years ago.
Speaking to media, Greg expressed his shock. "It was pretty obvious what they'd found because, you know, we went into the backyard and saw what was going on," he said. "You go through quite a range of emotions, from disbelief through to shock."
Despite the horror, he voiced a hope that the discovery might bring resolution to a tragic story. "I'm hopeful that it's somebody's very sad story, which will now come to closure," Greg stated.
Investigators are appealing to the public for information and have urged anyone with knowledge related to the case to contact Crime Stoppers.
