October 28, 2024
KUALA LUMPUR – A 29-year-old Malaysian pharmacist working in Melbourne, Australia has been murdered, allegedly by a man believed to be suffering from schizophrenia.
Australia’s 7News network reported that Leong Kum Chuan, who worked at a public health services company since 2021, was found dead by a colleague in his house in the Bellfield suburb near Ivanhoe, Melbourne at about 11.30am on Wednesday (Oct 23).
The colleague had gone to look for Leong when he failed to show up for work.
The report said a 54-year-old homeless man had been detained in connection with the case and charged in court the next day for Leong’s murder.
The network reported that the suspect, identified as Simon Hunter, appeared at the Melbourne magistrate’s court via video link from his cell at the Heidelberg police station.
He had been deemed unfit for police interview and concerns were raised about the suspect’s behaviour.
They reported that during court proceedings, 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.
“I’m not dealing with an accused person looking through a cell door. This is not satisfactory,” Hartnett said.
The hearing was temporarily delayed until Hunter appeared again and he spoke incoherently.
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.
Meanwhile, Leong’s employer, Eastern Health chief executive David Plunkett said Leong would be remembered for his generous nature.
“It is with great sadness that Eastern Health acknowledges the shocking death of our friend and colleague Kum Chuan ‘KC’ Leong,” Plunkett told the Australian media.
He said Leong was a talented leader and mentor for many of the company’s emerging pharmacists.
“He will be remembered for his passion, kindness and dedication to his team and the broader community.
“KC was just 29 years old, and this tragedy will be felt by many.
“Given the sensitive nature of this matter, we ask you to respect the privacy of his family, friends and colleagues at this time,” he said.
It was also reported that Leong’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 (2025).