MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY
Home » News » Maribyrnong River body parts: Police resume search for more remains

Maribyrnong River body parts: Police resume search for more remains

Police divers will return to the Maribyrnong River on Friday morning to search for more remains belonging to devil-tattooed man Brendan Bernard.

It has been three weeks since Mr Bernard’s dismembered body parts were first found floating in the river near Oakland Street in Moonee Ponds.

However, some of his body parts remain missing.

Police will return to the scene in the hope of recovering all of Mr Bernard’s remains.

Divers will focus their efforts near Burton Crescent, Maribyrnong.

Mr Bernard’s remains were identified after police released an image of a distinctive tattoo of a devil holding a pitchfork and a spray can inked on his forearm, which was found in the river on February 5. 

Our earlier reports

Maribyrnong River: Murder mystery identified as Brendan Bernard

Maribyrnong River: Police identify Melbourne man’s limbs

“Investigators would like to reassure local residents that the police activity today is an extension of the previous search activity, as all the remains have not been found,” Acting Sergeant Julie-Anne Newman said.

Police have not confirmed media reports that Mr Bernard may have been killed over outstanding drug debts.

It has been reported that up to three men and possibly a woman are of interest to homicide detectives.

Mr Bernard, 32, was the eldest of four children and described by police as having been a couch-surfing “itinerant”, who stayed with different friends.

He lived in North Melbourne and frequented the Fitzroy area, but it is unclear whether he was in contact with his two Melbourne-based siblings.

He was last seen in the CBD on the afternoon of Tuesday, January 27.

Anyone with information about Mr Bernard’s death, or his final movements is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

This story first appeared in The Age

Digital Editions


  • Clean up with new council app

    Clean up with new council app

    As councillors, we often hear from the community about getting the basics right, with waste and recycling a frequent topic of conversation. It’s exciting to…

More News

  • Eagles big scalp

    Eagles big scalp

    Yarraville pulled off its best win of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association east-west season on Saturday, knocking off Spotswood. The Eagles, who were on top for a lot of day…

  • Tubes of survival

    Tubes of survival

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 532349 February 1-7 was Feeding Tube Awareness Week, which aims to increase the understanding of tube feeding. Jena Carr spoke with two women with…

  • Brasher makes debut

    Brasher makes debut

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 452928 Footscray’s Dylan Brasher was almost the hero for Victoria in his Sheffield Shield debut last week After piling on the runs at Victorian…

  • Braybrook ramps up for BMX fest

    Braybrook ramps up for BMX fest

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 532725 Melbourne’s inner-west will take centre stage this weekend at the Braybrook BMX Festival, a three-day celebration of action sports, youth culture and community,…

  • Former Cash Converters operators penalised

    Former Cash Converters operators penalised

    The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has secured a total of $112,985 in penalties against the former operators of three Cash Converters stores in Melbourne’s north and west. The Federal Circuit…

  • Maidstone church fire suspicious

    Maidstone church fire suspicious

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 207786 A fire at a Maidstone church early on Sunday morning is being treated as suspicious. Fire crews were called to the church on…

  • Events heat up the west

    Events heat up the west

    Summer is heating up across the west with a mix of music, culture and experiences for locals to enjoy. Love Westside has put together a guide for February and March,…

  • Who are these Australians?

    Who are these Australians?

    The iconic ‘Three Well-Known Australians’ has made its way to Melbourne’s west for a limited time. The work, painted by Martin Shaw in 1982, depicts three figures – a blue,…

  • From the archives

    From the archives

    Star Weekly looks back on the pages of our predecessors. 40 years ago 12 February, 1986 A $6000 Western Suburbs fishing club development in Williamstown could face a State Government…

  • Rams ready for finals

    Rams ready for finals

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 532910 Newport Rams are fine tuning things ahead of finals in the Baseball Victoria summer league women’s premier 1 first competition. The Rams, who…