UPDATE: The partner of prominent Victorian interior designer Stuart Rattle has been charged with his murder.
Mr Rattle, who designed the homes of many high-profile Melbourne families, was found dead in his burnt-out South Yarra home in the early hours of Monday morning.
Homicide detectives have now deemed the fatal unit fire suspicious and on Thursday morning charged Michael O’Neill, Mr Rattle’s partner, with murder.
Firefighters discovered Mr Rattle’s body in his flat after battling a blaze at the two storey apartment complex in Malvern Road.
Friends of the well known designer mentioned Mr O’Neill in their public tributes following Mr Rattle’s death.
Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens posted a message on its website paying tribute to Mr Rattle.
“It is with the greatest sadness that we express our sympathy to the family and friends of Stuart Rattle on the passing of this wonderfully generous member of our community. We feel especially for his partner, Michael O’Neill,” the message said.
Several messages of condolence of Mr Rattle’s business Facebook page also offer sympathies to Michael along with the Rattle family.
Mr Rattle, known for his classic, timeless designs and his clever use of colour, lived in South Yarra and at a farm at Musk just outside Daylesford.
Veteran landscape gardener and close friend Paul Bangay paid tribute to Mr Rattle on Monday, describing him as an “incredible” and “passionate” designer.
A police spokesman said Mr O’Neill, 47, faced an out of sessions hearing and was remanded to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday.
– with Ballarat Courier
