Man found dead in park kidnapped hours before death, police believe

Police say an armed home invasion in Melbourne’s northeast is linked to the discovery of a body in a Melbourne park early this morning.

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said a serious home invasion took place hours before the grisly discovery, which he believes is connected.

Thomas said they have spoken to the family of the 30-year-old man, who was found near Bruni Drive in Tarneit at 4.30am, and an autopsy will take place to determine the cause of death.

‘It appears at this time that the [victim] was somewhat purposeful.”

At around 3am, several men, reportedly armed with machetes, broke into a house on Darius Terrace in South Morang in a dark-coloured SUV.

Police say they attacked the man, who is known to police, as he slept, dragging him out of the house and into the vehicle before fleeing.

A man and two children were still present in the home at the time, but they were not injured.

Shortly afterwards, emergency services were called to a park about an hour’s drive from the home after reports that a man had been found dead.

“We believe the deceased man is the deceased we found in Tarneit this morning,” Thomas said.

Police are now appealing to the public for information and have not yet made any arrests as investigations continue.

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