Overnight death due to natural causes

Police have ruled the Thomas Street man's death as non-suspicious.

By ANEEKA SIMONIS

POLICE have said that the overnight death of a Pakenham man was not suspicious despite initial reports that he was involved in an assault involving his housemate.
It’s now believed the 70-year-old man died of natural causes after suffering a suspected heart attack in the Thomas Street boarding house at 3.40pm on Thursday 21 July.
The deceased’s 47-year-old male housemate, who was initially taken into police custody, has now been released.
Cardinia Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Senior Constable Mick O’Neil said the incident was first considered to be an assault because the deceased was involved in a “minor incident” a short time before he fell ill.
“Police were called by one of the occupants,” he said.
“There had been a minor incident between the parties in the house. One of the occupants had a pre-existing condition and became exacerbated by the incident,” he said.
He was found unconscious at the home when police arrived and they administered CPR before paramedics arrived.
He was then transferred to hospital where he was pronounced dead about 2.30am on Friday 22 July.
The man’s housemate was taken into custody but was released without charge when the death was found to be non-suspicious.
Sen Const O’Neil said the dispute between the two was believed to be verbal.
Police are preparing a report for the Coroner.
Cardinia Shire Council confirmed the home is a registered boarding house.
Three people were believed to live at the residence at the time of the incident.
Police initially incorrectly reported the incident to have occurred at an address in nearby Thomas Place.