Bellfield murder: Police charge 54-year-old after man’s body was located in north-east Melbourne townhouse

Police have charged a 54-year-old man with murder after finding another man’s body in an apartment in Melbourne’s northeast.

Emergency services located the body of a man in a townhouse at Davidson Street in Bellfield, near Ivanhoe, at about 11.30am on Wednesday.

Police say a friend found his body after the man, who has not been formally identified, did not show up for work, 9News reports.

The victim was allegedly found with multiple stab wounds.

Police attended the scene 12 hours before the body was found after residents reported hearing a woman screaming and crying, neighbours told 7News.

But because police left the scene after they couldn’t access the property or determine where the complaint had come from. Police have not confirmed if the two incidents are linked.

On Wednesday afternoon, a 54-year-old man of no fixed address, who is not believed to be known to the victim, was arrested near the scene and was interviewed about the incident.

It’s alleged he was found with blood-stained clothing and was in possession of a weapon, 9News reports.

He was charged with murder overnight and is due to appear at Melbourne Magistrate’s Court later on Thursday.

“The exact circumstances surrounding his death are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

A toilet block in a park across the road from the complex was taped off by police.

The homicide squad is investigating and forensic detectives are also combing through the crime scene.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.