SOUTH HOBART MURDER CHARGE

MAN, 40, ON SOUTH HOBART MURDER CHARGE

AM AN charged with murder over a deadly alter cation with an acquaintance at a South Hobart unit complex struck his victim over the head with a metal object, police will allege.

The 40-year-old man was arrested and charged on Thursday after the death of the man, also aged 40, who was staying with the acc use data unit on Livingston St.

The accused was due to face the Hobart Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning.

Police say he called emergency services on Thursday morning and on arrival, they discovered the other man with head injuries and it was “quite apparent” he was dead.

Police are investigating the possibility the alter cation could have happened as early as Wednesday morning.

Detective Inspector Michael Smith said the accused was “calm and cooperative” and was arrested without incident at the scene.

He said the deceased had been staying for several days with the accused, who he had known for some time and who was the regular occupant of the unit.

Police including forensic officers, detectives and staff in uniform patrol led the area throughout the day, processing the scene and gathering evidence.

The street, a cul-de-sac off Huon Rd, was blocked for most of the day with only residents allowed to come and go.

As part of the investigation, officers were doorknocking the whole unit complex and the entire street.

Detective Inspector Smith said police wanted to speak to anyone who heard or saw any disturbance in the area dating back to the early hours of Wednesday morning.

He would not speculate on a possible reason for the altercation, or if drugs or alcohol were involved. “I think most of the people (at the complex) know each other. The person charged has been living there for quite some years—at least five-to-six years.”