The bodies of a man and woman found floating minutes apart in Melbourne’s Maribyrnong River are not believed to be related, but a manhunt has begun for their murder.
A member of the public first spotted the man’s body in the water near Saltriver Place in Footscray, west of Melbourne, at about 9am on Sunday.
About 90 minutes later, another passerby found the body of a woman about a kilometre downriver near Smithfield Rd in Flemington.
On Monday, a Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed Detectives believe the deaths are unrelated.
“At this stage, there is nothing to link the woman’s death to that of the man whose body was also located in the Maribyrnong River yesterday morning,” police said in a statement.
However, the Homicide Squad is now investigating the woman’s death.
“This death is being treated as suspicious,” the police spokesman said.
“We are still in the process of speaking to next of kin and will provide further updates when we can.”
Victoria Police said a member of the public first spotted the man’s body in the water near Saltriver Place in Footscray at about 9am on Sunday (pictured: police at the scene)
About 90 minutes later, another passerby found the body of a woman in the water near Smithfield Rd in Flemington.
Although a murder investigation has now been launched into the woman’s death, police now believe the man did not die under suspicious circumstances.
“Enquiries are ongoing to identify the man, however at this early stage it appears this death is unlikely to be suspicious,” the spokesman said.
Footage from the scene showed police and forensic investigators taking photographs of the woman’s body on the riverbank.
A local fisherman stumbled upon the woman’s body after seeing what looked like trash floating near his line.
The man, who asked to remain anonymous, said the woman’s head was covered with rags and a “blue cloth,” with plastic garbage bags tied around her feet.
He also said he saw a significant bruise on one arm.
“I walked up and thought it was just a doll; I was hoping it was just a doll,” he told the Herald of the Sun.
Any witnesses or anyone with CCTV/dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.