Mystery surrounds death of man, 49, two days after he was attacked by strangers at a campsite after an argument over a dog
- The 49-year-old planned to camp with a friend at the campsite in south Victoria
- Police believe the assault was unprovoked and happened on Friday or Saturday
- The pair drove for help on Sunday night when the man began to deteriorate
- Homicide detectives said dozens of people may have witnessed the attack
Police are investigating the death of a 49-year-old man (pictured) from Springvale in Melbourne
Homicide detectives are searching for answers after a man was bashed to death at a campsite after an argument over a dog.
The 49-year-old, from Springvale in Melbourne, arrived at the Toorongo Falls camping ground near Noojee, east of Melbourne, with a friend on Monday June 15.
The pair planned to stay at the site for a number of days prior to the assault, which took place between Friday night and Saturday morning.
Up to 25 groups were at the site on Friday night and a number of people may have witnessed the attack, which police believe could have started over the man's dog.
The victim and his friend drove to Noojee Hotel following the assault at 9pm on Saturday night.
Police have released photos of the campsite in the hope that anyone who was in the area at the time recognises them
'Staff at the hotel were so concerned for the man's condition that medical assistance was sought, however the man refused the assistance and the pair left the hotel and returned to the campsite,' police said in a statement.
The pair returned to the hotel on Sunday evening when the victim became disoriented.
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Staff called an ambulance but the man died on the way to hospital.
Investigators are waiting on a post mortem to determine a cause of death and probing potential witnesses to piece together the sequence of events.
Police have released photos of the vehicle and campsite in the hope that anyone who was in the area at the time recognises them.
The victim and his friend had planned on staying at the campsite for a number of days prior to the assault. Pictured: The caravan where the victim was staying
Staff called an ambulance but the man died on the way to hospital. Pictured: The car that the victim and his friend used to drive to the campsite
An image of the victim has also been released, but his name has been withheld.
Detective Inspector Tim Day believes the assault may have been unprovoked.
'We know that people witnessed the incident and those people will be able to assist us in identifying those responsible for the assault,' he said.
'We'd like to speak to anyone who was at the campground over this last weekend from Friday 19 June through until Monday 22 June.'
Detectives are also urging anyone who saw the victim at the Noojee Hotel on Saturday or Sunday night to contact police.
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