Homicide Squad detectives have charged a seventh person with murder as part of an ongoing investigation into the death of Vergel Velasquez in Sydney’s west last year.
About 4pm on Monday 30 December 2019, emergency services were called to a unit block on Mia Mia Street, Girraween, following reports a group of men had been involved in a physical altercation.
Upon arrival, officers located a man with severe head injuries in the stairwell of the complex.
He was treated at the scene before being taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition, where he died from his injuries about 5.20pm the following day (Tuesday 31 December 2019).
The man has since been formally identified as 42-year-old Vergel Velasquez.
Inquiries into the incident were commenced by officers from Cumberland Police Area Command before detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Brallo.
As part of ongoing inquiries, officers executed search warrants at units at Granville and homes at Moree earlier this year.
So far during the investigation, five men – aged 39, 41, 42, 49 and 50 – and a 35-year-old woman have been charged. They all remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, strike force officers arrested a 44-year-old man at Newcastle Police Station about 10.45 today (Thursday 29 October 2020).
He was charged with murder.
The man was remanded in custody and appeared at Newcastle Local Court today, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday 14 January 2021.
Investigations under Strike Force Brallo are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Brallo investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
