Above: Homicide Squad detectives investigate the scene of a suspected murder in Cranbourne.
By Bridget Cook
HOMICIDE Squad detectives are treating the death of a Cranbourne man as suspicious after his friend discovered him lying in a pool of blood in his backyard on Monday night.
Police released the name of the 48-year-old man – Laurence Grey – on Tuesday in a bid to spark information about the suspected murder.
Mr Grey’s body was found by a friend about 8.15pm on Monday in the backyard of his Golden Wattle Close home in Cranbourne after attempts to contact him failed.
Mr Grey was last seen on Saturday, and Detective Inspector John Potter said it was believed his body had been there for up to three days.
Det Insp Potter said police believed Mr Grey had been beaten with a “blunt instrument” and suffered severe head injuries.
“He has been bashed and either collapsed and died in his backyard or at some other point has been bashed and died where he lay.
“We believe somebody has gone there, possibly late Saturday or maybe into Sunday and has been involved in an argument perhaps and as a result Mr Grey has been killed.”
Det Insp Potter said police believed Mr Grey’s attacker was known to him.
“What we’re focussing on is the potential for his attacker to be known to Mr Grey and given there’s no sign of forced entry that the attacker had been admitted as a visitor,” he said.
“There’s no sign of any struggle, nor any sign of forced entry.”
Det Insp Potter said police would like to speak to anyone who knew Mr Grey, particularly those who had contact with him or knew his movements over the past week.
“What we’re asking is for anyone who knows Mr Grey specifically to contact us,” he said.
“We are trying to establish his network of associates and also trying to establish his movements so we can pin down exactly what and when this has happened.
“We were interested in anyone who has had contact with him, who knows him and that can give us some information as to his background, lifestyle and associates.
“We’ve spoken to a number of people and canvassed neighbours and we’re expanding that obviously in indentifying associates, friends, and people he may have been in contact with.”
Mr Grey was the sole occupant of the Golden Wattle Close home, where he lived with his two dogs.
“He’s a single man who lived alone,” Det Insp Potter said.
“He’s known as a fairly quietperson who keeps to himself. We understand Mr Grey kept to himself and didn’t cause anyone any offence within his neighbourhood and was known to be a quiet person.”
Anyone with information about the incident or who has spoken with Mr Grey in recent days is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
All calls to Crime Stoppers allow you to remain anonymous.
