A man and woman found dead at a rural property in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley have been identified as police continue to investigate what is being treated as a suspected murder-suicide.
Emergency services were called to a home on McGraths Track in Hernes Oak, near Morwell, about 12.15 pm on Monday, where they discovered the bodies of 46-year-old Aaron Hammond and his partner, 47-year-old Chamindika Jayawardena.
It is understood that the couple may have died over the weekend.
As per Daily Mail, neighbours reported hearing two loud bangs within about 30 seconds of each other late on Saturday night, initially mistaking the sounds for fireworks or gunshots aimed at foxes.
Resident Brenno Amato said he did not think much of the noise at the time. “I just thought it was people having a few shots at foxes out the back,” he told Nine News.
“I didn’t really take much to it until Monday when all the police were here, and we put two and two together.”
Mr Amato said he had known Mr Hammond for about 18 months and described the couple as “lovely”. He said Mr Hammond had previously allowed him to run cattle and bulls on the property, while Ms Jayawardena was a familiar presence in the neighbourhood, often walking along the street.
The pair had been together for at least two years, according to social media posts, and were known to travel overseas regularly.
Friends of Ms Jayawardena travelled from Melbourne on Tuesday to collect the couple’s cat, describing her as “like family”.
In a statement, Victoria Police said the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths were yet to be determined. Investigators believe the man and woman were known to each other, and confirmed they are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.
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