A 29-YEAR-OLD Malaysian pharmacist working in Melbourne, Australia has allegedly been murdered by a man believed to be suffering from schizophrenia.
Australia's 7News network reported that Kum Chuan Leong, who worked at a public health services company since 2021 was found dead by a colleague at his house in the Bellfield suburb near Ivanhoe, Melbourne at about 11.30 am on Wednesday.
The colleague had gone to look for Kum Chuan when he failed to show up for work.
The news outlet said a 54-year-old homeless man had been detained in connection with the case.
Other foreign reports said Simon Hunter appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court and was charged with murder over the young pharmacist's death.
The court heard that Hunter had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had no fixed address.
The daily reported that during the court proceeding via video link, the man took his clothes off before Magistrate Tara Hartnett, who then directed remand staff to move him to a room where she could communicate with him.
Lawyer Georgia Karvela told the court that her client suffers from schizophrenia.
The court was told that Hunter had not taken his medication for two weeks.
In a statement, his employer called Kum Chuan's death a "tragedy" that would be "felt by many".
Eastern Health chief executive David Plunkett said Kum Chuan would be "remembered for his passion, kindness and dedication to his team and the broader community".
"KC was recognised as a talented leader and was also a mentor for many of our emerging pharmacists," he said.
It was also reported that Kum Chuan's family flew into Melbourne from Malaysia on Thursday (Oct 24), but did not attend the court hearing.
Hunter has been remanded and is set to return to court on Jan 16 next year. - October 27, 2024
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