In short:
A 17-year-old boy has been charged with murder, aggravated home invasion, kidnapping, and arson following a Homicide Squad search warrant in the Wyndham area on Monday, 8 June 2026. The charges relate to the alleged kidnapping of a 30-year-old man from South Morang and his death in Tarneit parkland in the early hours of 15 May 2026.
Homicide Squad detectives have charged a seventh person over the death of a man whose body was found in Tarneit parkland last month, following a search warrant executed in Hoppers Crossing on Monday, 8 June 2026.
A 17-year-old boy was arrested, interviewed by detectives, and charged with murder, aggravated home invasion, kidnapping, and criminal damage by fire (arson). He appeared before a children’s court on Tuesday, 9 June.
The charges stem from the alleged kidnapping of a 30-year-old man from a Darius Terrace address in South Morang about 3am on Friday, 15 May 2026. It is alleged a group of offenders forced entry to the property, armed with machetes, and dragged the man from his home and into a waiting vehicle, which then fled the area.
Emergency services responded to reports of a man found deceased in parkland near Bruny Drive in Tarneit at about 4.30am that morning — approximately 90 minutes after the alleged abduction. A man was discovered dead at Bruny Drive Park in Tarneit, with SES crews covering the scene as police launched a death investigation.
It is further alleged that the vehicle used in the incident was set alight on Mt Mary Road in Eynesbury later that same morning.
The latest arrest follows six earlier charges laid on Tuesday, 3 June 2026, when Homicide Squad detectives executed eight search warrants across Wyndham Vale, Point Cook, Mambourin, Werribee, and Tarneit. A 23-year-old Truganina man, four 17-year-old boys, and an 18-year-old Point Cook man were charged across a range of offences including murder, kidnapping, and aggravated home invasion.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the incidents, has relevant footage, or holds any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
