The remains of a toddler have been discovered buried in a backyard in Brookfield, Melbourne, as police continue to investigate a disappearance that dates back nearly a decade. The body, believed to belong to an 18-month-old boy, was unearthed after a six-hour excavation conducted by authorities on December 8, 2023. The investigation follows a tip-off from a family member who could no longer keep the information private.
The child’s remains were located approximately 50 centimeters beneath the surface of the property. At the time of the initial disappearance in 2014, the toddler lived at the residence with two siblings before the family reportedly moved overseas, possibly to Albania. Notably, the child was never reported missing, which raised concerns that have led the Melton Crime Investigation Unit to open a formal inquiry earlier this year.
Upon discovering the remains, authorities informed the current homeowner of the potential presence of a body near their property. The revelation has left the community in shock. The homeowner expressed disbelief, stating, “Something like this is not supposed to happen, but it’s happened 14 years ago. Something very bad. Very terrible.”
Victoria Police have emphasized that the current residents of the property have no connection to the investigation or the family that previously lived there. The police confirmed that the remains have not yet been officially identified. They stated, “On Monday, December 8, with assistance from the Missing Persons Squad, Australian Federal Police, Major Crime Scene Unit, and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, the property was searched.”
The preliminary excavation around 1:30 PM revealed the human remains, prompting the involvement of the coroner and the scheduling of a post-mortem examination. The Missing Persons Squad will take the lead in the ongoing investigation, which has garnered significant attention due to the tragic circumstances surrounding the case.
As inquiries continue, it remains unclear whether Australian authorities have contacted their Albanian counterparts, despite the existing extradition agreement between the two nations. The case highlights the complexities that can arise in long-term investigations, particularly when dealing with cross-border issues.
