Mystery of body in street

By CASEY NEILL

SPRINGVALE man Peter Danh was found dead in a Noble Park street on Thursday night.
Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the 36-year-old’s final movements, after a motorist on his way home made the discovery in Prior Road about 10.20pm on 11 September.
Neighbour Emina Vehabovic said her husband heard a car in the street shortly before the body was discovered.
“Everybody’s family here. We have lots of friends here. They’re nice people,” she said.
She’s lived in the street since 1997 and said it was quiet, except for one home.
“That house used to be lived in by two ladies, older ones,” she said.
“That was a long time ago, maybe seven years.
“After that, every two or three months it’s changed.
“The police are there all the time.”
Ms Vehabovic urged any neighbours with information to come forward to prevent similar violence in the future.
Detective Sergeant Graham Ross said a motorist saw the body, stopped and called triple zero.
“The initial uniform police who attended have assessed it as a possible hit-run, so the Major Collision Unit was called in,” he said on Thursday.
“They’ve been here this morning. They’ve assisted us with examining the scene and their assessment is it does not appear to be a hit-run at this stage.
“The Homicide Squad has been contacted and we have attended with crime scene services who have examined the scene.
“We are treating the death as a suspicious death at this point, until our investigations show otherwise.”
Det Sgt Ross said it was possible the man was killed elsewhere and dumped in the street.
“That’s one scenario that we have to look at,” he said.
“At this stage we can see that he has some head injuries, but we won’t know the full extent of his injuries until a post mortem has been conducted later today.
“A witness that we have spoken to has told us that he heard some arguing and multiple voices around about the time this man was found, some car doors opening and closing.
“We are appealing to anyone in the Noble Park area that has heard any cars driving away very fast, or any tyres screeching to contact Crime Stoppers or the local police station and pass on their details.
“That would advance this investigation quite a bit.”
They’re also appealing for anyone who saw Mr Danh that evening to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.