Execution Theory On Bullet-riddled Body
The Age
Tuesday April 1, 1997
A 26-year-old man whose body was found in dense bush near Warburton last month could have been executed, police said yesterday.
Detective Inspector Paul Sheridan, of the homicide squad, said a person looking for firewood found the bullet-riddled body of Doan Sanh Tran, also known as Peter Tran, on 12 March on a track off Woods Point Road.
"We can't rule out that it was an execution-type killing," he said.
Mr Sheridan said Mr Tran was last seen at a housing estate near the intersection of Woods Point Road and Brahams Road about 11 or 12 February. He said Mr Tran may have been seen getting into a white, late-model sedan. He appealed for witnesses to contact police. "We don't know to what extent the car was involved. It may have been someone who picked him up perhaps," Mr Sheridan said.
Estranged from his wife and three-year-old daughter, Mr Tran had convictions for drug offences but police are unable to determine a motive for the killing.
"The victim did have prior convictions in relation to drug matters but at the time of his death we have no information or evidence to suggest that he was actually involved in drug or trafficking activities," Mr Sheridan said.
Police believe Mr Tran was unfamiliar with the area and would have appeared conspicuous to locals. He was wearing a white T-shirt, blue denim sports shorts and white sneakers.
"I would have thought the clothing itself would be distinctive, particularly in that area given that it is fairly rough bush terrain, certainly not the clothing one would expect someone to be wearing," Mr Sheridan said.
Police believe Mr Tran's killers knew the area where his body was dumped and that Mr Tran was murdered nearby.
© 1997 The Age