Neighbours of a slain pharmacist claim to have heard screams coming from inside a house the night before an alleged brutal murder of a beloved pharmacist.
On Thursday, homeless man Simon Hunter, 54, was charged over the death and made a chaotic rambling appearance at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
Police allege Hunter murdered 29-year-old Kum Chuan Leong at a townhouse on Davidson Street, in Bellfield, just north-east of Melbourne, on Wednesday morning.
Neighbour Susan Cotchin said she heard a woman screaming from inside the home about 11.30pm the night before.
‘(I) couldn’t make out what she was saying but it was just shrill screams over a period of maybe 10 minutes,’ she told reporters at the scene.
Hunter was scheduled to appear in court in person, but those plans were changed when Homicide Squad detectives realised he was unfit to be interviewed.
When he eventually appeared via videolink, Hunter flew into a rage, accusing his victim of outrageous crimes Daily Mail has chosen not to publish.
The court heard Hunter had displayed ‘concerning behaviour’ while in police custody.
It remains unclear why he allegedly attacked Mr Leong.
In bizarre scenes, Hunter initially appeared topless from inside a cell within Heidelberg Police Station.
Peeking through the jail door slot, the court heard police found him too dangerous to bring into court or move into a dedicated media room to conduct his filing hearing.
Magistrate Tara Hartnett refused to hear the case, demanding police either bring him into court or move him to a secure video room within the police station.
The matter was stood down while police escorted him to a dedicated meeting room.
Hunter again appeared topless and was seen wearing green prison shorts.
Once unmuted Hunter disrupted the hearing in wild scenes that saw him repeatedly slander his victim, berate his own lawyer and abuse the magistrate.
‘If I get an injection I’ll punch f**kin heads in,’ he shouted.
‘You’re not on my side. You’re on the Nazi’s side arent you … My mother is Meg Ryan, (she’ll) pay for it.’
The court heard Hunter had a long history of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, and was likely to attempt a bail application on Friday.
Emergency services were called about 11.30am to Me Leong’s home where they found him dead.
Police alleged Hunter was located near the house.
‘The 54-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested nearby and was interviewed in relation to the incident,’ a police spokesperson said shortly after the incident.
Mr Leong reportedly purchased the home where he was killed at the beginning of the year.
It is understood police will allege he had been stabbed multiple times.
Hunter was allegedly found wearing bloodstained clothes and had a weapon.
Neighbours had called triple-0 about 12 hours prior, but police were unable to access the property and left the scene, 9News reported.
Mr Leong, a member of Eastern Health, has been remembered as a ‘warm and generous’ member of the pharmaceutical community.
‘KC was recognised as a talented leader and was also a mentor for many of our emerging pharmacists,’ said Eastern Health’s chief executive David Plunkett.
‘He will be remembered for his passion, kindness and dedication to his team and the broader community.
‘This tragedy will be felt by many.’
Mr Leong completed his Masters in Clinical Pharmacy in July, and had been a resident pharmacist at Eastern Health since 2021, his LinkedIn profile stated.
A 54-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested near the crime scene and interviewed by Homicide Squad detectives.
He has since been charged with Mr Leong’s murder.
A neighbour said she heard cries and screams from the apartment at about 11.30pm the night before.
‘It was shrills over a period of maybe 10 minutes,’ the neighbour told reporters.