The motive remains a mystery why a single mother accused of murdering an elderly widow allegedly beat her to death and dumped her body in a Melbourne river.
A court-ordered suppression order has banned the media reporting a link between Lolene Whitehand, 85, and the woman accused of killing her.
Reporters were ordered out of court while reasons for the gag order were discussed, before a blanket ban was imposed on identifying or picturing the alleged killer.
Ms Whitehand, 85, from West Footscray, was found floating in Maribyrnong River on Sunday, near Smithfield Road in Flemington in inner-city Melbourne.
The beloved widow was allegedly found with plastic bags tied around her head and parts of her legs, and was badly bruised.
Ms Whitehand had previously been reported missing by her family since July 12, sparking an urgent hunt for her by concerned locals and police.
When the body was found by a fisherman two days later, neighbours speculated it could be Ms Whitehand, but dismissed the possibility because it was 6km from her home.
‘That would be too far for her. She‘s fiercely independent, a real sweetie – but only tiny, one friend posted before Ms Whitehand’s identity was confirmed.
‘It’s just too long for her to be missing.’
The body of Lolene Whitehand (pictured) was found floating in the Maribyrnong River about 10.30am on Sunday
On Tuesday, police arrested a 49-year-old woman – who is not related to Ms Whitehand – and charged her with the elderly woman’s murder.
A 15-year-old boy was also questioned by police but later released without charge.
On Wednesday, Ms Whitehand’s alleged killer faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court charged with one count of murder, as Ms Whitehand’s grim fate was confirmed.
Magistrate Stephen Ballek warned the media not to publish the accused woman’s name or photograph, making an interim suppression order that cannot be contested by media organisations until Tuesday next week.
Police are yet to reveal why or how they believe Ms Whitehead was allegedly murdered by the accused killer.
‘It’s all just unfathomable,’ one neighbour posted to social media. ‘I cannot get my head around it.’
Neighbours and well-wishers continue to leave floral tributes outside the Glamis Road home of Ms Whitehand, who has been described as a ‘jewel to Footscray’s community’.
‘She lived just down the road from me and was always in her garden and saying hello to my baby and I on our walks,’ a neighbour stated via an online tribute.
‘She was such a kind lady and I just can’t believe someone could do this.’
Others recalled Ms Whitehand venturing into the local opportunity shop for a chat or having her haircut with her sister.
Ms Whitehand’s alleged killer, a 49-year-old Footscray West woman, faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday
It is understood Ms Whitehand lived alone at her single-storey home after her husband John died about a decade ago, and that she was once a carer for her sister, who lived in nearby Yarraville.
‘Lolene’s community is mourning the woman who was an icon of their neighbourhood,’ another woman stated.
‘She was known for being kind and happy. She cared for her sister and looked after her husband before he died some years ago.
‘There’s just no words to convey the anger and sadness attached to Lolene’s death.’
Detectives were seen searching Ms Whitehand’s home on Wednesday afternoon. while uniformed officers went door-to-door, questioning residents along her street.
Reporters were removed from the courtroom while the reasons for suppressing the identity of Ms Whitehand’s alleged killer were discussed.
The accused’s lawyer, Sharon Healey, successfully asked the court to suppress her client’s identity.
Ms Whitehand’s neighbours were left shocked by her allegedly violent death and recalled her love for gardening
The woman did not speak throughout the hearing but had a noticeable limp when she was escorted back to custody.
The court heard she suffered from lower back pain, for which she takes panadeine forte and steroid injections.
She also takes medication for depression and anxiety.
Detectives continue to appeal for anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from the areas around Glamis Rd in West Footscray or Smithfield Rd in Flemington near Lynchs’ Bridge between 12pm on July 12 and 10.30am on July 14 to come forward.
‘Police are also keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in those areas during that time,’ a statement read.
Detectives are also investigating the discovery of a 20-year-old Colombian man’s body, which was found floating in the same river just 90 minutes prior in Footscray.
Police have confirmed the man’s death is not linked to Ms Whitehand’s death and is not being treated as suspicious.
Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
