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Identity revealed of mummified body found in hoarder’s house

Neighbours say the former owner of the property was a hoarder.

Neighbours say the former owner of the property was a hoarder. Photo: ABC

Police have revealed the identity of a suspected murder victim whose mummified corpse was found in a ramshackle home on Sydney’s lower north shore.

The body, which has been inside the Greenwich property for at least 10 years, was on Tuesday named as Shane John Snellman.

Mr Snellman sustained a number of injuries and his death is being treated as suspicious.

“At this stage it is unknown when he died,” NSW Police said in a statement.

The property was owned by Bruce Roberts, who has been described as a recluse and hoarder. He died of natural causes in July 2017.

Cleaners sent to clear out the Greenwich property last Tuesday discovered the skeletal remains among with Mr Roberts’ junk.

The remains were so badly decomposed a post-mortem examination was required to determine the gender and age.

mummified body sydney

Police searched the Greenwich property after the body’s discovery. Photo: AAP

Mr Roberts died at the property in June last year, but police believe Mr Snellman’s body was hidden away sometime before his death.

Neighbouring residents said earlier that Mr Roberts had very little to do with anyone on Greendale Street.

Bob and Gayle Meagher, who lived next door for 20 years, described him as a loner.

“It’s creepy and sad. It’s just awful that it’s next door, very unpleasant,” Mrs Meagher said.

Mr Roberts’ parents had owned the property and he had lived there for 40 or 50 years, she said.

“He was paranoid about security around the home and had barbed wire,” she said.

-with agencies

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