Three Australians are believed to be stranded in Vietnam following the mysterious deaths of two of their companions while they were holidaying together in South-east Asia.
Vincent Satuala Atulia, 24, and Andrew Colivas, 25, from Melbourne, died unexpectedly in Vietnam on August 24.
The three men on board are believed to have been receiving assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) following the double tragedy.
There is talk in Melbourne’s underworld that the trio would have been arrested by Vietnamese authorities after the deaths of Atulia and Colivas, the Herald of the Sun reported.
Several other people from Victoria are believed to have been associated with the group during the trip.
DFAT confirmed to the publication that it is continuing to assist three men, but declined to comment on whether the two are in custody.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted DFAT for further comment.
Police in Vietnam are still investigating the mysterious deaths of Atulia and Colivas and are looking into whether the couple may have died from a drug overdose.
The three men are suspected of being detained by authorities in Vietnam following the deaths of Vincent Satuala Atulia, 24 (pictured) and Andrew Colivas, 25, who died unexpectedly on August 24.
Atulia and Colivas went to Vietnam on vacation with friends.
The couple were a well-known identity in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.
Atulia was a boxer and was also a member of the CFMEU while Colivas was a talented athlete, who had a passion for boxing.
Daily Mail Australia previously revealed that both men were convicted criminals, who had been in and out of court over the past five years for a variety of offences including drugs and violence.
Atulia was also arrested in 2019 after being involved in a shooting at a house in Melbourne alongside Rebels biker Scott Rye.
Court records obtained by Daily Mail Australia show Atulia had been ordered to appear in court 78 times since 2019, while Colivas had 12 court appearances dating back to 2021.
Atulia’s charges relate to 12 different matters, including driving offences, affray, theft, fishing and breach of court conditions.
His most recent matter was filed in court on August 2, just three weeks before his death.
Colivas was charged on seven separate occasions with crimes related to driving, brawling, drugs, boating and refusing to obey authorities.
He last appeared in court in September last year.
Atulia and Colivas (pictured) went to Vietnam on holiday with some friends and the couple were a well-known identity in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.
Atulia was also involved in the shooting at a house in Ferntree Gully, in Melbourne’s south-east, in June 2020 along with a group of men, including Rye.
Atulia was out on bail at the time for a previous offense.
Shots were fired on the upper floor of the property before the group fled the scene.
No one was injured in the shooting and Atulia, along with four others, later pleaded guilty to affray. Atulia also pleaded guilty to bail jumping and spent 35 days in jail.
Despite a series of criminal charges against the couple, tens of thousands of dollars have been raised to repatriate their remains.
More than $60,000 was raised for Atulia after a separate GoFundMe page was created, while more than $44,000 was raised for Colivas.
Devastated relatives described both as “God-loving men.”
Among the donors listed in Atulia’s fundraiser were several underworld figures, including Bemir Saracevic and Faruk Orman.
Saracevic, who donated $500, was appointed Australian boss of the illegal gang in March last year.
Orman, who donated $1,000, is a member of the gang world who was convicted of murder in 2002.
Donors to Atulia’s fundraising campaign included several underworld figures, including Bemir Saracevic and Faruk Orman. Pictured is Vincent Atulia
A source previously told Daily Mail Australia that Colivas and Atulia (pictured dead) may have died after buying dubious drugs while trying to get their hands on ketamine.
DFAT officials previously said consular assistance was being provided to the family of a man who died in Vietnam, as well as three other Australians.
A source previously told Daily Mail Australia that the couple may have died after buying dubious drugs while trying to get their hands on ketamine.
“The news circulating is that they bought drugs laced with a fentanyl clone and overdosed,” the source said.
Another source claimed there was a rumor circulating that the two were shot in a drug deal gone wrong.
“In recent years, Vince has been using steroids and ice,” the source said.