UPDATE: The deaths of two people whose bodies were found in their Heidelberg West home on Sunday night are no longer being investigated by homicide squad detectives.
Police found the deaths were “non suspicious” following a post mortem examination on Monday.
“The investigation will be handled by the local detectives who will prepare a report for the Coroner,” a police spokeswoman said.
Christopher Dokos, 47, and Katrina Baron, 50, were a friendly couple who may have died days ago.
They were found dead after Mr Dokos’ concerned parents called police.
The bodies were found in separate rooms of the house in Ramu Parade just after 7pm.
In a statement, by family of the couple, the two were described as “a happily married couple who cared very deeply for each other”.
“Our families are deeply saddened by these tragic events and ask the media to respect our privacy at this difficult time,” the family wrote.
A neighbour, Lynda, said she had last seen the couple on Wednesday and assumed she had not seen them again because of the record heatwave that struck Melbourne.
Mr Dokos and Ms Baron missed a regular trip to Preston Market with a relative on Friday.
“They were a really friendly couple, they’d talk to anybody,” Lynda said.
“We’d have a chinwag over the fence, they’d often be having a BBQ in the backyard.
“But with all those horrible days last week, everyone was just inside with their blinds drawn.”
Lynda said Ms Baron and Mr Dokos were inseparable and had lived in the street at least 15 years. Both were living on disability pensions.
Mr Dokos’ family had banged on the doors of their house on Sunday night and spoke to neighbours before calling police when the couple did not respond.
Before the results of the post mortem were released police had made an appeal for anybody who may have seen something suspicious to come forward.
Neighbours said the couple’s daughter was being looked after by her grandmother.
– with Rania Spooner
