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Murder charge after 'mummified' remains found in house

By AAP Newswire

Aug 23, 2023

The mummified remains of Tomislav Nemes were found at a Gold Coast home. -PR Handout Image

A murder charge has been laid following the discovery of decomposed remains hidden inside a Gold Coast home for a year.

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Detectives investigating the death of Tomislav Nemes at Benowa arrested the 48-year-old suspect on Tuesday.

The mummified remains of the 69-year-old were found at the Edinburgh Street residence during a welfare check after interstate relatives raised concerns on April 17.

"The body was in an advanced state of decomposition," Detective Acting Inspector Mark Proctor told reporters last week.

"It did have a mummified look ... but there was absolutely no attempt to preserve the body in any way. It wasn't wrapped or anything like that."

Police say the accused man will appear before Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

The arrest follows a renewed police appeal as detectives revealed Mr Nemes's wife and son lived alongside his remains for more than a year, failing to disclose the death to family or the authorities.

Friends and relatives have told police they lost touch over the years before Mr Nemes disappeared.

Relatives told detectives they had tried unsuccessfully to make contact, with reports his wife and son claimed Mr Nemes was ill or unavailable.

Mr Nemes and his family moved to the tourist strip from the ACT in 2018.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press