Man fronts court charged with murder of China Bar restaurant owner – The Age

Mr Wong sat calmly as magistrate Mia Stylianou told him he would be remanded until his next hearing, a committal mention, on October 12.

Mr Chi’s body was found by his son after a “very violent” attack in his Lower Templestowe home.

In the weeks after the death, Detective Senior Sergeant Pixie Fuhrmeister from the homicide squad said one line of inquiry centred on a previous altercation between Mr Chi, who was not known to police, and someone from his workplace.

On the day he died, Mr Chi left a shopping centre carrying a black bag that held what police believe was the day’s takings from his restaurant.

Police could not locate the bag after the death.

Senior Sergeant Fuhrmeister said Mr Chi left his work about 9.15pm and made a phone call to a family member, where he did not raise any concerns.

“There is a likely scenario he has been followed home for the day’s takings to be stolen … that was his normal routine that was known by quite a lot of people,” she said.

The fact it was 9.30pm and Mr Chi’s car was in the driveway meant it was unlikely to be a burglary attempt, she added.

Mr Chi lived alone but was visited frequently by family at his home, which was about 10 kilometres from his restaurant, according to police.

Neighbours described him as “very nice”, “softly spoken” and not a violent man.

On the day after the death Mr Chi’s daughter, Ella, said it was “still like dreaming”.

“[I] can’t believe it’s real … he [her younger brother] just found his body in front of the door,” she said.

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“Only three of us left as a family … finally he can meet my mum at the heaven.”