By Brendan Rees
The daughter of a man whose body was found dumped next to a Cranbourne primary school has remembered her dad as a “very quiet, compassionate soul”.
The much-loved father and grandfather’s body was found by passers-by in a carpark at the Donnelly Reserve car park on Lesdon Avenue, near Rangebank Primary School, about 7am on Friday 26 June.
He was identified as 47-year-old Michael Mammone of Cranbourne East. His daughter Brodie Mammone said her family were devastated and described his death as “completely unprovoked”.
“The overwhelming amount of devastation our family is feeling through this traumatic event is something so hard to fathom and explain,” she said.
“They’ve not only taken away a man, but someone who had their whole life ahead of them, with many memories to fulfil.”
Rangebank Primary School was closed on Friday 26 June as police swarmed the scene following the grisly discovery of his body. Homicide Squad detectives initially released images of Mr Mammone’s car, a silver 2008 BMW 118i sedan to the public in the hope to piece together his final moments.
That car was found on Miller Court in Cranbourne about 7.30pm on Saturday 27 June and towed away for examination.
Ms Mammone said she couldn’t understand why someone would want her father killed.
“We love and miss our father dearly, it’s terrifying to know that the monster who did this is still out there.
“The pain in not knowing his final thoughts, his suffering and his last moments is unbearable.
“They’ve taken away a man who needed to be here to witness first steps, birthdays, marriages and Christmases.”
Ms Mammone said her father loved the farming life, having grown up as a market gardener from a young age, following in his parent’s footsteps.
“He used to just plod along doing his own thing. He was an old soul in a 40’s body, he loved the Robbie Williams classics, green day and ‘fangirled’ over Delta Goodrem, we spent our childhood listening to it blaring throughout our home,” she said.
Ms Mammone said she and her two sisters also had fond memories of running through the paddocks in their gumboots with their dad.
“He taught us all how to ride horses when we were young, he used to rock his cowboy hat, he was so proud,” she said.
The family had also enjoyed a trip to the snow and their first interstate holiday to the Gold Coast.
She said her eldest sister had been robbed of plans of her father walking her down the aisle at her wedding.
Ms Mammone urged those responsible to “please put our sadness to ease” and hand themselves into police.
“The least you could do is turn yourselves in for the malicious crime you have committed, my family will never be at peace not knowing how or why this has happened.”
Meanwhile, a Victoria Police spokesperson said it was not known at this stage when Mr Mammone’s body was left in the car park and investigators are keen to speak to anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area on Thursday night or Friday morning.
“They are also asking anyone who may have been driving through the area in the 24 hours prior to the discovery of Michael’s body who may have dash cam footage to come forward.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
