It remains a mystery why a single mother accused of murdering an elderly widow allegedly beat her to death and dumped her body in a Melbourne river.
A court suppression order has banned media outlets from reporting on a link between Lolene Whitehand, 85, and the woman accused of killing her.
Journalists were ordered to leave the court while the reasons for the gag order were discussed, before a blanket ban was imposed on identifying or photographing the suspected killer.
Ms Whitehand, 85, from West Footscray, was found floating in the Maribyrnong River on Sunday, near Smithfield Road in Flemington, central Melbourne.
The beloved widow was reportedly found with plastic bags tied around her head and parts of her legs, and was badly bruised.
Ms Whitehand’s family had already reported her missing since July 12, triggering an urgent search by concerned neighbours and police.
When a fisherman found the body two days later, neighbors speculated it might be Whitehand’s, but ruled out the possibility because it was 4 miles from his home.
“That would be too much for her. She’s very independent, very sweet, but very small,” a friend posted before Whitehand’s identity was confirmed.
“She’s been missing for too long now.”
The body of Lolene Whitehand (pictured) was found floating in the Maribyrnong River at around 10.30am on Sunday.
On Tuesday, police arrested a 49-year-old woman, who is not related to Ms. Whitehand, and charged her with the elderly woman’s murder.
A 15-year-old boy was also questioned by police but later released without charge.
Ms Whitehand’s alleged killer faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with one count of murder, as Ms Whitehand’s horrific fate was confirmed.
Judge Stephen Ballek warned the media not to publish the name or photograph of the accused woman, a provisional suppression order that cannot be challenged by the media until Tuesday of next week.
Police have yet to reveal why or how they believe Ms Whitehead was allegedly killed by the suspected killer.
“It’s all incomprehensible,” one resident posted on social media. “I can’t understand it.”
Neighbours and supporters continue to leave floral tributes outside the Glamis Road home of Ms Whitehand, who has been described as a “jewel to the Footscray community”.
“She lived just down the road from me and was always in her garden greeting my baby and I on our walks,” one neighbour said in an online tribute.
“She was a very kind woman and I can’t believe someone could do this.”
Others recalled Ms Whitehand venturing into the local thrift store to chat or get a haircut with her sister.
The alleged killer of Ms Whitehand, a 49-year-old woman from Footscray West, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Ms Whitehand is understood to have lived alone in her single-storey home after her husband John died about a decade ago, and was once a carer for her sister, who lived in nearby Yarraville.
“The community of Lolene is mourning the woman who was an icon of their neighborhood,” said another woman.
‘She was known for being kind and cheerful. She looked after her sister and her husband before she died a few years ago.
“There are no words to express the anger and sadness that Lolene’s death has generated.”
Detectives were seen searching Ms Whitehand’s home on Wednesday afternoon, while uniformed officers went door-to-door questioning residents on her street.
Journalists were removed from the courtroom as the reasons for suppressing the identity of Ms Whitehand’s alleged killer were discussed.
The defendant’s lawyer, Sharon Healey, successfully applied to the court to suppress her client’s identity.
Mrs Whitehand’s neighbours were left shocked by her suspected violent death and recalled her love of gardening.
The woman did not speak throughout the hearing, but was visibly limping as she was escorted back into custody.
The court heard the woman suffered from lower back pain and was taking panadeine forte and steroid injections.
He also takes medication for depression and anxiety.
Detectives are continuing to appeal for anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from the areas around Glamis Rd in West Footscray or Smithfield Rd in Flemington near Lynchs’ Bridge between 12pm on July 12 and 10.30am on July 14 to come forward.
“Police are also interested in speaking to anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in those areas during that time,” the statement said.
Detectives are also investigating the discovery of the body of a 20-year-old Colombian man, who was found floating in the same river just 90 minutes earlier in Footscray.
Police have confirmed the man’s death is not linked to Ms Whitehand’s death and is not being treated as suspicious.
Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
