A 31-year-old Carlton man is assisting police with their investigation after a 21-year-old woman was found dead inside a block of flats in Melbourne over the weekend. Victoria Police said in a statement that the man presented himself to officers in relation to the death, which is now the subject of a formal investigation.
What police have said #
According to a Victoria Police statement, officers were called to a block of flats following reports of a woman’s death on the weekend. Police said the 21-year-old woman was found at the scene and could not be revived. Victoria Police said in a statement that the death is being treated as suspicious, and that detectives from the homicide squad have carriage of the investigation.
Police said in a statement that a 31-year-old Carlton man presented himself to a police station in connection with the death. He was subsequently arrested and has been assisting police with their enquiries. As of the time of writing, Victoria Police had not confirmed whether the man had been charged. We have been told further developments are expected in coming days, and VCN will update this report as confirmed information comes to hand.
The scene and the investigation #
Victoria Police said a crime scene was established at the block of flats and forensic examiners attended to assist with the investigation. It is understood specialist homicide detectives are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death, including a timeline of events leading up to the weekend. Police said in a statement that inquiries are continuing and have appealed for anyone with information, dashcam vision, or CCTV footage from the area to come forward.
VCN understands the woman was known to people living in or around the block of flats, though police have not released further detail about her identity or circumstances at this stage. Out of respect for her family, who police say have been notified and are being supported by specialist family liaison officers, we are not publishing further identifying details at this time.
What happens next #
Victoria Police has not confirmed whether the Carlton man will be charged, or when he might next appear before a court. Should charges be laid, the matter would ordinarily proceed to a filing hearing at a local Magistrates’ Court, where any accused person would be expected to enter a plea at a later date. No plea has been entered in relation to this matter, and no charges have yet been confirmed by police.
VCN will continue to monitor court listings and police updates. Readers should note that until charges are formally laid and tested before a court, no findings of wrongdoing have been made against any individual in connection with this death.
How homicide investigations unfold in Victoria #
For readers unfamiliar with how these matters typically progress, Victoria Police’s homicide squad is usually called in when a death is treated as suspicious or unexplained. Detectives work alongside forensic services, the coroner’s office, and sometimes specialist units such as the arson and explosives squad or sexual offences and child abuse investigation teams, depending on the nature of the case.
Any sudden or unexplained death in Victoria is also reportable to the Coroners Court, which has an independent role separate from any criminal prosecution. The coroner can make findings about the cause and circumstances of a death regardless of whether criminal charges are laid, and in some cases a coronial inquest will run in parallel with, or following, a criminal matter. We explain more about how the coronial process works in our coronial inquests explainer.
Community impact #
Deaths of young people in residential settings understandably unsettle local communities, and VCN has heard from readers in the Carlton area who have expressed concern following the weekend incident. Victoria Police has not indicated any ongoing risk to the broader community in relation to this matter, though residents with concerns are encouraged to contact their local police station directly.
We have reported previously on the pressures facing community safety in inner-Melbourne housing precincts, including our coverage of safety concerns raised by residents in public and social housing blocks. This masthead will continue to report on this case as it moves through the justice system, relying only on confirmed statements from Victoria Police and, where relevant, matters raised in open court.
A note on our reporting approach #
VCN does not name people in connection with serious allegations until they have been formally charged and that charge is confirmed on the public record, and we do not publish identifying details of victims of crime without careful consideration of family wishes and legal obligations. This approach sometimes means our early reporting contains less detail than readers might see elsewhere, but it reflects our commitment to fair and accurate reporting that does not prejudice any future court proceedings.
The matter is currently before the courts. All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Anyone affected by this story, or needing support, can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Support for people affected by family violence is available through Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers can contact 13YARN on 13 92 76.
