Detectives from the Homicide Squad have released CCTV vision of a vehicle of interest and are appealing for public assistance as they continue to investigate the suspicious death of a man in Sydney’s south west last year.
Emergency services were called to a home on Young Street, Mt Pritchard, about 7.50am on Wednesday 30 October 2019, after reports of a disturbance earlier in the morning.
Officers found the body of 35-year-old resident Tuan Tran in the backyard of the home.
A post mortem examination was inconclusive; however, he had suffered head injuries and lacerations.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and Fairfield City Police Area Command established Strike Force Hedland to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said investigators are appealing for assistance from the community to establish various movements of people in and out of the house before Mr Tran’s death.
“Strike force investigators believe at least two people forced entry to the Mt Pritchard home and stole property about 6.40am that day (Wednesday 30 October 2019), and at the time, five people were at home,” Det Supt Doherty said.
“There has been an altercation that has resulted in fatal injuries to Mr Tran. The other four occupants were able to flee uninjured and have since been spoken to by detectives.
“Our investigations have revealed Mr Tran had been associating with people involved in drug-related activities.”
As part of ongoing inquiries, strike force investigators have released CCTV vision of a vehicle, which was seen on Meadows Road, near Young Street, Mt Pritchard, just before 7am the day of the incident.
The vehicle is described as a white Holden Commodore sedan with a distinctive black stripe on the bonnet and roof.
“Prior to the break in, a number of different people and vehicles were seen coming and going from the property throughout the early hours of the morning,” Det Supt Doherty said.
“We are keen to speak to anyone in the area at the time or any motorists with dash cam vision who may have been driving in the area of Mt Pritchard.”
Investigations under Strike Force Hedland continue.
Anyone with information about that may assist Strike Force Hedland investigations is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
