Authorities in Victoria, Australia, made a disturbing discovery when they found an older woman living alongside her brother’s decomposed body in their public housing unit in Newtown. The woman believed to be in her 70s, was apprehended on December 28, 2022, following a welfare check prompted by concerns for the male resident.
The residence, located on Russel Street and infamously nicknamed the ‘House of Horrors’ by neighbours, presented a scene of utter neglect and squalor. Upon entry, police were confronted with deplorable conditions, including piles of rubbish reaching from floor to ceiling, infestations of rats, human waste, and the skeletal remains of the woman’s brother.
Neighbors had long lamented the state of the property to authorities, describing it as a cesspool of filth and neglect. They recounted how the woman, known for frequently moving bins and allowing rubbish to accumulate unchecked, had created an environment rife with health hazards and safety concerns.
Despite previous interventions by public housing officials and reports of health hazards such as mould and vermin infestations, the situation persisted. The deceased man, identified as the woman’s brother and the primary tenant, had not been seen since 2018, leading to speculation that his body had gone unnoticed for years amidst the appalling conditions.
The uninhabitable two-bedroom house has remained vacant since the discovery, prompting calls for its demolition by concerned residents. Both the Department of Families, Fairness, and Housing and the City of Greater Geelong have been approached for further comment on this distressing incident.
Authorities had to use a crowbar to gain access to the property, as the woman’s back window had to be shattered to enter. Forensic teams, donned in biohazard suits, were tasked with retrieving the body, which had likely been there for an extended period.
Residents described the property as a haven for filth and neglect, with photos revealing the unit packed with debris ranging from fast-food containers to dead possums. Despite previous interventions by public housing officials and reports of health hazards, including mold and vermin infestations, the situation persisted.
Neighbors had long voiced complaints about the property’s conditions, with some likening it to the television show “Hoarders.” The deceased man, identified as the woman’s brother and the primary tenant, had not been seen since 2018, prompting speculation about how his body had gone unnoticed for so long amidst the appalling conditions.
