'So beautiful, inside and out': Mother of three found dead in Phillip Island
Homicide squad detectives are investigating after a mother of three was found dead at her Phillip Island home.
The body of Samantha Fraser, 38, was found in the garage of a Seagrove Way property in Cowes during a welfare check on Monday, after she did not pick up her three children from a local primary school.
Ms Fraser dropped off her two daughters and son in the morning, then caught up with friends for coffee. She told them she had a midday appointment, but she did not show up for it.
Police visited her home at 4.30pm to check on her, and found her body in the garage.
A post-mortem was conducted, and homicide squad detectives have now taken over the investigation.
"Based on the circumstances of her death, it is strongly believed to be suspicious and will now be investigated by detectives from the homicide squad," a police spokesman said.
"Police are also investigating whether there was any interference with the crime scene."
Investigators have spoken to a 42-year old Paynesville man who was known to Ms Fraser, but he has since been released without charge.
The death has rocked the tight-knit Cowes community.
Neighbours said they had only recently been made aware that Ms Fraser's death was being treated as a homicide.
One of Ms Fraser's neighbours, Sue, said the mother of three lived at the home with her children and her parents, but her parents had been on holiday when Ms Fraser died.
"We are devastated. It's horrible. It's not very nice at all what's happened. It's just so sad, she was so young and with a young family and we feel for the kids. They've got no mother anymore. They had a lot of things ahead of them, for her to experience with them, and it's all gone," she said.
She said Ms Fraser was a child psychologist who had lived at the Seagrove Way property for the past four years.
The last time the neighbour saw Ms Fraser, who is known locally as Sam, was on Sunday when they waved at each other from the front garden.
She said Sunday had been Ms Fraser's birthday.
Another neighbour said Ms Fraser was a beautiful mother of three who worked at the local medical centre.
"It's so sad, she was beautiful. Just a beautiful girl," she said.
She said Ms Fraser was once married, but had split from her partner.
A fundraiser has been started for Ms Fraser's children, with donations already topping $13,000.
Friends have posted tributes on the online fundraising page.
"Sam Fraser, a beautiful 38-year-old mother of three died in tragic circumstances on Monday. Her family and our community are devastated by her loss," on friend wrote.
"So beautiful inside and out. Our coffee date last week will be treasured forever. Thinking of everyone affected especially your beautiful children, so so sad," another wrote.
Detectives are now appealing to anyone with dash cam footage from Philip Island, particularly between Seagrove Way and San Remo, as well as CCTV footage near the property where Ms Fraser was found.
They also wish to speak to anyone who may have entered the Seagrove Way property on the day of Ms Fraser's death, or anyone who noticed suspicious activity around her property over the previous days.
Police would like to speak to anyone who can provide information on Ms Fraser's movements between 11am and 3.30pm last Monday.