EXCLUSIVE
The devastated mother of a teenage father who was one of four people found mysteriously dead inside a unit collapsed while visiting the scene of the tragedy for the first time, as detectives investigating the “unusual deaths” investigate two theories.
Abdul El Sayed, 17, two other men – aged 32 and 37 – and a 42-year-old woman were found dead in the living room of a unit in Broadmeadows, north of Melbourne, shortly before 2am. on Tuesday.
One of the men was a relative of Mr. El Sayed and the other two were neighbors visiting the property.
El Sayed’s uncle Cory Lewis, who lives nearby, made the grim discovery after looking out a window and seeing the group unresponsive. He broke the window to gain access and called emergency services.
Detectives investigating the baffling case are exploring all possibilities, including whether the group overdosed on fentanyl or suffered carbon monoxide poisoning.
El Sayed’s devastated mother, Jessica Lewis, visited the scene of the tragedy on Tuesday morning, supported by her siblings.
Cory could be seen rubbing his sister’s back as they shed tears in front of the unit block, which has been declared a crime scene by police.
El Sayed leaves behind a partner and an 18-month-old daughter.
Abdul El Sayed (pictured) was found dead inside a Broadmeadows unit in the early hours of Tuesday.
Cory Lewis (left) comforts his older sister Jessica Lewis (second from right) outside the unit in Broadmeadows on Tuesday morning.
Another family member could be seen hugging Ms Lewis as she collapsed at the scene.
Photos posted on social media show Mr El Sayed cradling his partner’s baby bump as they prepared for the birth of their child.
In another post, her mother gushed about their close relationship.
“Aww, I love that my son shines,” she wrote.
“What a mama’s boy.”
A neighbor last saw the four people alive around 2 a.m. Monday.
Cory, who is also the brother-in-law of one of the dead, told 7News he believed the deaths were caused by a drug overdose.
“I came home and found members of my family deceased and that tortured me, it surprised me,” he told the media.
“I think (it was) an overdose, but I’m not sure exactly.”
Cory said the tragedy was the latest of many to affect his family.
“We haven’t had a break,” he said.
‘We just lost mom and dad too. Mom in November last year and dad on his own birthday.
Cory said his family didn’t know anything about what happened.
‘We are as clueless as you. “We don’t know what, but it looks like an overdose,” he said.
“The kid doesn’t even take drugs, that’s what bothers me,” said Brendan, Cory’s brother.
“A little choof here and there, but that’s it.”
El Sayed is pictured with his mother Jessica Lewis in happier times
Cory (pictured left), who is also the brother-in-law of one of the dead, said he believes the deaths were caused by a drug overdose.
Forensic officers are seen arriving at the cordoned off property.
Cory said he believed his nephew was a victim of bad influences.
‘He wasn’t taking meth. He’s not an addict,” he said.
As police continued to use oxygen tanks Tuesday to access the property, the brothers do not believe the deaths were caused by any type of smoke.
“I walked right in and didn’t smell anything,” Cory said.
Cory was joined outside the home by other family members, who were seen hugging shortly after 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
It is understood he lives in a neighboring unit.
Police have cordoned off the property and forensic officers are at the scene.
Victoria Police Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said there was no indication of “any act of violence” but there were some injuries “that we should be able to account for”.
Cory broke one of the unit’s windows after seeing his nephew lying on the ground.
Police say they have not ruled out that the deaths may be related to a drug overdose.
It is understood the police knew all four.
Detective Inspector Thomas said items from the property would need to be removed from the scene and examined, but did not confirm whether there was drug paraphernalia.
“It is unusual to find four people deceased in one property potentially from a drug overdose, but we have to keep an open mind and until we confirm that is the case, it could be anything,” Detective Inspector Thomas said.
“I can’t say definitively if (fentanyl) is involved,” he added.
One theory suggests a gas leak on the property may have caused their deaths.
Police are treating the deaths as non-suspicious at this stage of the investigation.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Anyone with information is asked to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.