Shocking discovery reveals reason man found dead behind store
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A tragic and unsettling discovery has rocked a suburb after a man was found dead inside a bin behind a Salvation Army store.
The man has now been identified as 45-year-old Luke Jon Telega, a familiar face in the local community who had been experiencing homelessness for several months.
The grim find was made early Monday morning when a garbage contractor arrived to empty the industrial bin located at the end of a driveway behind a hairdressing salon and the Salvos store on Percy Street.
At first, the contractor thought the body was a mannequin—a chilling moment that quickly turned to horror as the truth became clear.
Police were called to the scene at around 9 am, and an investigation was immediately launched.
On Tuesday, detectives confirmed the identity of the deceased as Mr Telega and, with the permission of his family, released his photo to the public in hopes of piecing together his final movements.
The last confirmed sighting of Mr Telega was on Saturday night at about 10 pm when he was visiting his children.
After that, there was a gap in the timeline until his body was discovered two days later.
Detective Inspector David Gill explained, ‘Police continue to maintain an open mind and treat the death as a case of misadventure, or foul play, or a potential combination of both.’
An autopsy has revealed that Mr Telega had no visible signs of injury, leaving the circumstances of his death shrouded in mystery.
Was it a tragic accident, or is there something more sinister at play? Police are not ruling anything out at this stage.
The area behind the shops on Percy Street is known to be frequented by people experiencing homelessness, and it is unclear whether Mr Telega was seeking shelter in the bin or if something else occurred.
Detectives have been busy canvassing the area, speaking with more than 60 individuals, conducting door-to-door visits, and reviewing CCTV footage from nearby homes and businesses.
They are urging anyone with information or with CCTV or dashcam footage from Percy Street to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.
The news of Mr Telega’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from friends and family.
His daughter, Harmony, shared a touching photo of her dad relaxing on a lounge, captioned, ‘Dad was always sleeping on the couch.’
Friends described him as a man with a ‘kind and beautiful heart’, someone who brought laughter and warmth to those around him, even as he struggled with personal challenges.
‘RIP Luke. I’ll treasure the memories we made back in the day. I’m so sorry that this is how your story ended. Such a beautiful-hearted man, sadly with a troubled soul.
I hope you’re at peace,’ wrote one friend. Another added, ‘We will miss your cheekiness and kind heart. Thank you for giving us so many fun memories.’
Mr Telega was known to frequent the Bellerive and Rosny areas, and his passing has left a void in the community.
His story is a sobering reminder of the vulnerability faced by those experiencing homelessness and the importance of community support and compassion.
As the investigation continues, police are determined to uncover the truth behind Mr Telega’s untimely death.
Was it a tragic accident, a case of misadventure, or something more sinister? Only time—and the community’s help—will tell.
If you have any information, or if you were in the Percy Street area over the weekend and may have seen something, no matter how small, please get in touch with Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Your information could be vital in helping Luke’s family find answers and closure.
Have you ever experienced or witnessed something similar in your community? How do you think we can better support those who are struggling? Share your thoughts, memories, or condolences in the comments below.
The man has now been identified as 45-year-old Luke Jon Telega, a familiar face in the local community who had been experiencing homelessness for several months.
The grim find was made early Monday morning when a garbage contractor arrived to empty the industrial bin located at the end of a driveway behind a hairdressing salon and the Salvos store on Percy Street.
At first, the contractor thought the body was a mannequin—a chilling moment that quickly turned to horror as the truth became clear.
Police were called to the scene at around 9 am, and an investigation was immediately launched.
The man found dead in a bin behind a Bellerive Salvation Army store has been identified as 45-year-old Luke Jon Telega. Credit: Facebook
On Tuesday, detectives confirmed the identity of the deceased as Mr Telega and, with the permission of his family, released his photo to the public in hopes of piecing together his final movements.
The last confirmed sighting of Mr Telega was on Saturday night at about 10 pm when he was visiting his children.
After that, there was a gap in the timeline until his body was discovered two days later.
An autopsy has revealed that Mr Telega had no visible signs of injury, leaving the circumstances of his death shrouded in mystery.
Was it a tragic accident, or is there something more sinister at play? Police are not ruling anything out at this stage.
The area behind the shops on Percy Street is known to be frequented by people experiencing homelessness, and it is unclear whether Mr Telega was seeking shelter in the bin or if something else occurred.
Detectives have been busy canvassing the area, speaking with more than 60 individuals, conducting door-to-door visits, and reviewing CCTV footage from nearby homes and businesses.
They are urging anyone with information or with CCTV or dashcam footage from Percy Street to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.
His daughter, Harmony, shared a touching photo of her dad relaxing on a lounge, captioned, ‘Dad was always sleeping on the couch.’
Friends described him as a man with a ‘kind and beautiful heart’, someone who brought laughter and warmth to those around him, even as he struggled with personal challenges.
‘RIP Luke. I’ll treasure the memories we made back in the day. I’m so sorry that this is how your story ended. Such a beautiful-hearted man, sadly with a troubled soul.
I hope you’re at peace,’ wrote one friend. Another added, ‘We will miss your cheekiness and kind heart. Thank you for giving us so many fun memories.’
Mr Telega was known to frequent the Bellerive and Rosny areas, and his passing has left a void in the community.
As the investigation continues, police are determined to uncover the truth behind Mr Telega’s untimely death.
Was it a tragic accident, a case of misadventure, or something more sinister? Only time—and the community’s help—will tell.
If you have any information, or if you were in the Percy Street area over the weekend and may have seen something, no matter how small, please get in touch with Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Your information could be vital in helping Luke’s family find answers and closure.
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. I truly hope it wasn't foul play. Poor darling was most likely looking for somewhere warm to sleep.
