Neighbors of a murdered pharmacist claim they heard screams from a house the night before the alleged brutal murder of a beloved pharmacist.
On Thursday, homeless man Simon Hunter, 54, faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, charged over the shocking incident just north-east of Melbourne.
Police allege Hunter murdered 29-year-old Kum Chuan Leong at a townhouse on Davidson Street, Bellfield, on Wednesday morning.
Neighbor Susan Cotchin said she heard a woman screaming from the house the night before around 11:30 p.m.
“(I) couldn’t understand what she was saying, but it was just shrill screams for a period of maybe ten minutes,” she told reporters at the scene.
Hunter was scheduled to appear in court in person, but those plans were changed when Homicide Squad detectives realized he was not fit to be interviewed.
When he finally appeared via video link, Hunter became enraged and accused his victim of outrageous crimes that Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to publish.
The court heard Hunter had exhibited ‘concerning behaviour’ while in custody.
It remains unclear why he allegedly attacked Mr Leong.
Kum Chuan Leong was allegedly murdered by a homeless man
In bizarre scenes, Hunter initially appeared topless from a cell at the Heidelberg police station.
As he peeked through the crack of the prison door, the court heard police deemed him too dangerous to appear in court or go to a special media room to hold his hearing.
Magistrate Tara Hartnett refused to hear the case and demanded police take him to court or to a secure video room at the police station.
The case was adjourned while police escorted him to a special meeting room.
Hunter again appeared topless and was seen wearing green prison pants.
Once incapacitated, Hunter disrupted the hearing in wild scenes in which he repeatedly vilified his victim, berated his own lawyer and abused the magistrate.
“If I get a shot, I’m going to smash bloody heads,” he shouted.
“You’re not on my side. You’re on the side of the Nazis, aren’t you… My mother is Meg Ryan, (she’ll) pay for it.”
The court heard Hunter had a long history of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, and was likely to make a bail application on Friday.
Simon Hunter was taken into custody at the scene
Emergency services were called to Me Leong’s home around 11.30am, where they found him dead.
Police claimed Hunter was near the home.
“The 54-year-old man, of no fixed abode, was arrested nearby and interrogated in connection with the incident,” a police spokesperson said shortly after the incident.
Mr Leong reportedly bought the house where he was killed early this year.
It’s understood police will claim he was stabbed multiple times.
Hunter was reportedly found wearing bloodstained clothing and had a weapon.
Neighbors had called triple-0 about 12 hours earlier, but police were unable to gain access to the property and left the scene, 9News reported.
Mr Leong, a member of Eastern Health, is remembered as a “warm and generous” member of the pharmaceutical community.
“KC was recognized as a talented leader and was also a mentor to many of our emerging pharmacists,” said David Plunkett, CEO of Eastern Health.
“He will be remembered for his passion, kindness and dedication to his team and the wider community.
“This tragedy will be felt by many.”
Kum Chuan Leong was a respected pharmacist
Kum Chuan Leong was allegedly murdered in his own home
Mr Leong completed his Masters in Clinical Pharmacy in July and had been a pharmacist at Eastern Health since 2021, according to his LinkedIn profile.
A 54-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested near the crime scene and interviewed by homicide detectives.
He has since been charged with Mr Leong’s murder.
A neighbor said she heard yelling and screaming from the apartment the night before around 11:30 p.m.
“It was shrill for a period of maybe 10 minutes,” the neighbor told reporters.
The alleged killer will appear in the Melbourne District Court on Thursday afternoon.