A 29-year-old Malaysian pharmacist was brutally murdered at his home in Melbourne, Australia after he was stabbed several times by a homeless man last Wednesday (Oct 23).
According to Australia’s 7 NEWS, the victim, Kum Chuan ‘KC’ Leong was found in a lifeless state by a colleague at his home at around 11.30am after he didn’t turn up for work.
29yo M’sian pharmacist stabbed to death by homeless man
Leong, who graduated from Monash University and came to Australia to work, had just bought and moved into his own home six months ago.
He also had been working at a public health services company named Eastern Health since 2021.
A 54-year-old homeless man named Simon Hunter was later arrested and charged with Leong’s murder in court, where he appeared at the Melbourne magistrate’s court via video link from his cell at the Heidelberg police station.
Suspect reportedly suffers from schizophrenia
During the court hearing, Hunter removed his clothes, causing Magistrate Tara Hartnett to order him to be taken to another room.
When he reappeared, Hunter had several fits of rage and spoke incoherently, forcing the hearing to be adjourned.
According to his lawyer Georgie Karyela, Hunter was suffering from back pain and schizophrenia and had not taken his medication for two weeks.
It is also understood that Leong’s family have travelled to Australia from Malaysia on Thursday (Oct 24) but didn’t attend the hearing.
Hunter is set to appear in court on January next year.
Victim remembered for kind personality
Leong’s death was greatly mourned by his colleagues, with Eastern Health chief executive officer David Plunkett calling the murder “shocking”.
It is with great sadness that Eastern Health acknowledges the shocking death of our friend and colleague Kum Chuan ‘KC’ Leong.
“He will be remembered for his passion, kindness and dedication to his team and the broader community. 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.
A close friend of Leong also attested to his kind personality, telling WeirdKaya that Leong was a “good guy who was kind and caring.”
Our condolences to Leong’s family for their loss and we hope justice will be meted out soon!
READ ALSO:
