EXCLUSIVE
The shattered mother of a teenage father, one of four people mysteriously found dead in a unit, has been left devastated as she visits the scene of the tragedy for the first time – as detectives investigating the ‘unusual deaths’ investigate two theories .
Abdul El Sayed, 17, two other men – aged 32 and 37 – and a 42-year-old woman were found dead in the living room of a Broadmeadows unit, in Melbourne’s north, shortly before 2am on Tuesday morning.
One of the men was a relative of Mr El Sayed, and the other two were neighbors visiting the property.
El Sayed’s uncle, Cory Lewis, who lives nearby, made the grim discovery after looking through a window and seeing the group unresponsive. He smashed the window to gain access and notified emergency services.
Detectives investigating the baffling case are exploring all possibilities, including whether the group overdosed on fentanyl or suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning.
El Sayed’s devastated mother, Jessica Lewis, visited the scene of the tragedy on Tuesday morning, supported by her siblings.
Cory could be seen rubbing his sister’s back as they shed tears from the front of the unit, which has been declared a crime scene by police.
Mr El Sayed is survived by a partner and an 18-month-old daughter.
Abdul El Sayed (pictured) was found dead in a Broadmeadows unit in the early hours of Tuesday
Cory Lewis (left) comforts his older sister Jessica Lewis (second from right) outside the unit at Broadmeadows on Tuesday morning
Another family member could be seen hugging Mrs Lewis as she collapsed at the scene
Photos posted on social media show El Sayed cradling his partner’s baby bump as they prepare for the birth of their child.
In another post, his mother talked about their close relationship.
“Aww, gotta love my son, shine,” she wrote.
‘What a mama’s boy.’
A neighbor last saw the four people alive around 2 a.m. on Monday.
Cory, who is also the brother-in-law of one of the dead men, told 7News he believed the deaths were caused by a drug overdose.
“I came home to find relatives dead in the house and it tortured and shocked me,” he told the media.
“I think it was an overdose, but I’m not exactly sure.”
Cory said the tragedy was the latest of many to strike his family.
“We haven’t had a break,” he said.
‘We just lost mom and dad too. Mum in November last year and Dad on his own birthday.’
Cory said his family remained in the dark about what happened.
‘We have as little idea as you do. “We don’t know what, but it looks like an overdose,” he said.
“That kid doesn’t even do drugs, that’s what concerns me,” said Cory’s brother Brendan.
‘A little choice here and there, but that’s it.’
Mr El Sayed is pictured with his mother Jessica Lewis in happier times
Cory (pictured left), who is also the brother-in-law of one of the dead, said he believes the deaths were the result of a drug overdose.
Forensic officers arrive at the cordoned off building
Cory said he believed his cousin fell victim to bad influence.
“He wasn’t using meth. He’s not a junkie, he said.
Because police continued to use oxygen tanks to enter the property on Tuesday, the brothers do not believe the deaths were caused by any form of fumes.
“I went right in there and I didn’t smell anything,” Cory said.
Cory was joined outside the home by other family members who hugged just after 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
It is clear he lives in a neighboring unit.
Police have cordoned off the house and forensic officers are on site.
Victoria Police Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said there were no “any acts of violence” but there were some injuries “that we need to account for”.
Cory smashed one of the unit’s windows after seeing his cousin on the floor
Police have not ruled out that the deaths may be related to a drug overdose
It is clear that the four were known to the police.
Detective Thomas said items from the property had to be removed from the scene and examined, but could not confirm whether there was any drug paraphernalia.
“It is unusual to find four people in one property who may have died from a drug overdose, but we have to keep an open mind and until we confirm this is the case it could be anything,” said Detective Thomas.
“I can’t say definitively if (fentanyl) is involved,” he added.
One theory suggests that a gas leak in the property may have caused their deaths.
Police are treating the deaths as non-suspicious at this stage of the investigation.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.