Melbourne Police Probe Disturbing Luring Incident in St Albans

ST ALBANS, MELBOURNE — A chilling case has shaken Melbourne’s western suburbs after a man was allegedly lured by text message to meet a young woman, only to be fatally attacked and later discovered in a nearby industrial precinct.

Authorities confirmed the victim, whose identity is being withheld pending family notification, was last seen leaving his residence late Friday evening. Investigators allege he was enticed to a meeting in St Albans by a woman who later became the prime suspect in his murder.

According to police, the encounter turned deadly inside a deserted property on Main Road West, before the victim’s body was transported to the city’s industrial belt in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime.

Midway through the investigation, detectives released an image of the message that drew the man into the meeting:

The text exchange shows the suspect inviting the victim to a St Albans address. Authorities believe this was the final communication before the victim was last seen alive.

Residents reported hearing raised voices and the sound of a vehicle idling near the industrial laneways later that night. One witness described seeing “two shapes moving quickly” into the shadows, fueling speculation that a second person may have been involved.

CCTV footage retrieved from a nearby service station is also under review, with police sources suggesting it captured “more than one individual” in the vicinity around the time of the incident.

The suspect was apprehended shortly after the victim’s remains were located. She is facing charges of murder and attempted concealment of a corpse. Investigators, however, have not ruled out the involvement of an accomplice, and are appealing for information about a possible second suspect who may have assisted in transporting the body.

Detective Inspector Laura McKenzie described the crime as “a calculated act that began with a simple message but unfolded into a disturbing sequence of events.” She added, “The possibility of a second person being involved is very real. We are following several strong leads.”

The investigation has rattled the St Albans community, with locals describing the case as “deeply unsettling.” Several residents expressed fears about safety in the industrial areas, long known for being deserted at night.

Forensic specialists continue to comb through both the St Albans property and the industrial laneway where the body was recovered. Police have increased patrols in the area while urging calm, noting that the investigation remains active and ongoing.