A MAN murdered a Melbourne couple by repeatedly stabbing them after an argument over a debt for plaster work he had done at their home, a court has heard.
Police found Gregory Tucker, 54, and Korinne Aylward, 35, dead in their Moonee Ponds home on Sunday evening.
Their three children, aged five, three and two, were found in another room uninjured.
Mustafa Kunduraci, 44, of Meadow Heights has been charged with the couple’s murder and appeared at an out-of-sessions court hearing early this morning.
A Turkish interpreter assisted him in the hearing.
Homicide squad Detective Senior Sergeant Stuart Bailey told the court Kunduraci rang police on Sunday about 11.30pm and told them he had been stabbed while at the Moonee Ponds home to collect an outstanding debt.
When police arrived Kunduraci was in the driveway of the home and police found a man and woman dead inside with what appeared to be multiple stab wounds, Det Snr Sgt Bailey said.
A post-mortem examination found the deceased man suffered 18 stab wounds and his partner was stabbed nine times, the court was told.
Kunduraci, a plasterer, allegedly told police he attended the Moonee Ponds home in a last effort to obtain money for plaster work at the Darling Street property where there had been a dispute about the quality of the workmanship.
“He engaged in a discussion with the deceased (male), the female deceased attended and an argument escalated to a physical confrontation,” Snr Sgt Bailey said.
Gregory John Tucker (left) died in the brutal attack.
Police found a knife at the property, which they believe is the murder weapon. They also found a bag containing assorted cable ties, duct tape, a bottle believed to contain petrol and a plastic imitation handgun, the court heard.
Kunduraci, who had a bandage on his right hand, received 18 stitches on the same hand when police took him to hospital.
Kunduraci was refused bail and will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court later today.
Mr Tucker, 54, was the director of drilling and boring contractors Metrobore Australia, based in Campbellfield.
Detective Senior Sergeant Shane O’Connell said investigators were not looking for any other suspects.
The couple had knocked down a rundown property two years ago to build a luxury two-storey home, which was still being renovated.
Police seized a ute bearing a construction company’s name, parked round the corner from the victims’ home.
A neighbour said police had told him the alleged killer had entered through a vacant block where the car was parked and climbed over a back fence.
Sen-Sgt O’Connell said the children were unharmed and were now in the care of family members.
“It’s horrific,” he said.
“Whether or not the children were present, whether they’ve seen or heard anything that’s gone on, the fact that we’ve got three children aged five and below and they’re in a house where such a horrific thing has occurred, is tragic,” he said.
“There are signs of significant trauma in the premises.”
Many neighbours spoke of their shock last night.
A woman who knew the pair described them as “friendly neighbours” and said she would wave to them every morning.
“A lovely young family,” she said.
Another neighbour said he woke up to screaming about 11.30pm.
“I just heard people yelling out, just arguing. If I had to guess, it was a man and a woman,” Bill said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go to www.crimestoppers.com.au.
Source: News Ltd.