Picture: Stewart Chambers
By Bridget Cook
POLICE have urged customers of slain Cranbourne drug dealer Laurence Grey to come forward to assist with investigations into his murder.
Family and friends of Mr Grey joined police last week in a fresh appeal for information about his death.
Mr Grey’s body was found by a friend about 8.15pm on Monday 22 August in the backyard of his Golden Wattle Close home in Cranbourne after attempts to contact him failed.
Police believed Mr Grey, 48, had been beaten with a “blunt instrument” and suffered severe head injuries.
Detective Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles of the Homicide Squad said Mr Grey had been a low-level cannabis dealer for the past 10 years.
Det Sen Sgt Iddles said it was estimated that he sold a pound of cannabis a week – worth about $5000.
“I think as we go through life we all have choices to make, some of us actually work for a living,” he said.
“But he took an easy option and thought that he could just survive selling cannabis, sadly that easy option has cost him his life.”
Det Sen Sgt Iddles said police had been able to establish through some people who attended Mr Grey’s home last Saturday that he was expecting a visitor.
“The last person who left here was at 8pm on Saturday night when Laurie said that he had someone coming to the house,” he said.
“We don’t know who that person is, that person may not be responsible for killing him, but we urge that person to come forward.
“We know that he was visited at 11pm on Sunday. The house was locked, the dogs were inside barking and we assume that at that stage he was already deceased.”
Det Sen Sgt Iddles said police also wanted to speak to people who had dealings with Mr Grey through the drug trade.
“The appeal today is for those who were his clients or customers to come forward,” he said.
“We want you to come forward as witnesses; we need to work out what actually happened to Laurie.”
He said that those who came forward and made admissions about purchasing, smoking or using cannabis would not be charged.
Mr Grey’s brother, Ian Grey, made an emotional plea for those with information to come forward.
“I just ask that anybody who knew Laurence or cared about Laurence that they come forward and help the police,” he said.
“I beg people to come forward and help police to solve Laurie’s murder.”
Ian said Laurence was a loving person who adored kids.
“Just like anybody else, really. I think he just got up to a few silly things,” he said.
Laurence’s best friend Ian Apter said the murder was a tragedy.
“Laurence was a good bloke,” he said.
“He would do anything for anybody. This is why I find it hard to deal with that somebody has done this to him.
“Please come forward and help find whoever did this.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Callers to Crime Stoppers may opt to remain anonymous.
