Neighbors of a murdered pharmacist say they heard screams coming from inside a home the night before the alleged brutal murder of a beloved pharmacist.
On Thursday, homeless man Simon Hunter, 54, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with the shocking incident just north-east of Melbourne.
Police allege Hunter murdered Kum Chuan Leong, 29, at a home on Davidson Street in Bellfield on Wednesday morning.
Neighbor Susan Cotchin said she heard a woman screaming from inside the house around 11:30 p.m. the night before.
“I couldn’t understand what he was saying, but it was just shrill screams for a period of about 10 minutes,” he told reporters at the scene.
Hunter was scheduled to appear in court in person, but those plans changed when Homicide Squad detectives realized he was not suitable to be interviewed.
When he finally appeared via video link, Hunter became furious and accused his victim of crimes which Daily Mail Australia chose not to publish.
The court heard Hunter had displayed “concerning behaviour” while in police custody.
It is unclear why Hunter allegedly attacked Mr Leong.
Kum Chuan Leong allegedly murdered by homeless man
In bizarre scenes, Hunter initially appeared topless from inside a cell inside the Heidelberg police station.
Peering through the crack in the jail door, the court heard police found him too dangerous to bring to court or move him to a dedicated media room to hold his presentment hearing.
Magistrate Tara Hartnett refused to hear the case and demanded that police take it to court or to a secure video room inside the police station.
The matter was adjourned while police moved him to a dedicated meeting room where the brief presentation hearing took place.
Hunter again appeared topless and was wearing green prison shorts.
The court heard Hunter had a long history of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, and was likely to attempt to make a bail application on Friday.
Hunter disrupted the hearing with wild scenes in which he repeatedly slandered his victim and berated his own attorney.
“If you give me an injection, I will punch your heads in,” he shouted.
‘You’re not on my side. You’re on the side of the Nazis, right? My mother is Meg Ryan, (she) will pay for it.’
Emergency services were called at around 11.30am and arrived to find Mr Leong’s body.
Police alleged Hunter was located near the home.
“The 54-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested nearby and questioned in relation to the incident,” a police spokesperson said shortly after the incident.
Simon Hunter was arrested at the scene
Leong reportedly bought the house where he was murdered earlier this year.
It is understood police will allege he had been stabbed several times.
Hunter was allegedly found wearing blood-stained clothing and had a gun.
Neighbors had called triple-0 about 12 hours earlier, 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 pharmacy community.
“KC was recognized as a talented leader and was also a mentor to many of our emerging pharmacists,” said Eastern Health CEO David Plunkett.
‘He will be remembered for his passion, kindness and dedication to his team and the wider community.
“This tragedy will be felt by many.”
Kum Chuan Leong was a respected pharmacist.
Kum Chuan Leong was allegedly murdered in his own home
Leong completed his Master of Clinical Pharmacy in July and had been a resident pharmacist at Eastern Health since 2021, according to his LinkedIn profile.
A 54-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested near the crime scene and questioned by Homicide Team detectives.
He has since been charged with Mr Leong’s murder.
A neighbor said she heard screaming and yelling from the apartment around 11:30 p.m. the night before.
“They were loud for a period of about 10 minutes,” the neighbor told reporters.
The alleged killer will face Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon.
