Bloodied, bound, gagged: Police seek answers over Mario's unusual death
Amid the rainbows and unicorns that dressed his online profiles, Wachira "Mario" Phetmang looked a world away from the grisly roadside setting where his body was dumped earlier this month.
Bloodied, bound and gagged, wrapped in plastic and covered in a mattress protector, the 33-year-old's body was discovered along a bush embankment just metres from a major on-ramp near Sydney Olympic Park on June 6.
Police have now confirmed he died from a blunt trauma injury, but his time of death remains unknown.
The state's top homicide detective has conceded the "unusual" circumstances in which the body was found suggest the involvement of more than one person and a potential group.
"It does indicate to us certain activities of certain people," Detective Superintendent Scott Cook, homicide squad commander, said.
The last time anyone saw Mr Phetmang was on May 25, when he stopped at a service station in South Hurstville, about 7.30pm.
CCTV footage of that night shows the Thai national at the counter of the station, where he travelled in a silver 2004 Hyundai Terracan, with Victorian registration URK109.
Investigators have also confirmed the 33-year-old spent time in the Sydney CBD and Guildford area during the day on Thursday, May 24.
Now two weeks since his body was discovered, police have appealed to the public, in an attempt to locate the silver vehicle and determine how the young man met such a violent death.
Mr Phetmang, or "Mario" to his friends, moved to Australia from Thailand 10 years ago, most recently living in Hurstville.
It is understood his mother and sister live in Kiama on the south coast.
As a hospitality service worker he was employed at coffee chain Starbucks, first at the cafe on George Street in Sydney's CBD, before transferring to the Starbucks cafe at Westfield Hurstville.
One worker at the Hurstville cafe said she could not comment on Mr Phetmang's death, but acknowledged that she knew him and had worked with him in recent weeks.
The cafe is a short walk away from the two-tower apartment complex where Mr Phetmang lived with two roommates, who were travelling overseas at the time of his death.
Mr Phetmang's body was discovered along Homebush Bay Drive by a passing truck driver, who had broken down along the six-lane road.
It is understood the manner in which Mr Phetmang's body was discovered is consistent with methods used by organised crime groups.
"We're exploring links to organised crime; there may be some links to drugs and things, but it's early days," Detective Superintendent Cook said, but added the 33-year-old did not have a criminal record.
"We are looking into his associates, his friends, his activities, but we have no firm suspect."
While his identity has now been determined, it took a number of days for police to confirm the body was that of Mr Phetmang, "due to his condition" when he was found.
"He was well-liked by his friends and was recently using dating websites ... interacting and going out with various people," Detective Superintendent Cook said, adding that it was a few days before Mr Phetmang was reported missing by his family.
"At this stage we do not know where Mario went after leaving the service station ... there is a big gap between May 25 and June 6."
Investigators have so far been unable to locate the silver Hyundai that Mr Phetmang was last seen driving, but did not own.
They are appealing to anyone who has had interaction with the vehicle to come forward.
“Strike Force Sinder investigators are continuing to piece together Mario’s final movements and would like to speak to anyone who may have seen him that Friday night," Detective Superintendent Cook said.
Coincidentally Mr Phetmang lived in the same apartment building in which Phillip Chau, then co-owner of the popular Chinatown restaurant BBQ King, was held captive for three days after being kidnapped almost 15 years ago.
Mr Chau was tortured, starved and held to ransom for $600,000 in an apartment inside the Hurstville building in July 2003, before a police operation successfully secured his release.