Detectives charge man over death of Sam Riley

South West District Office Detective Inspector Jon Munday said the arrest of the Geographe man was a result of ongoing enquiries.

“WA Police would like to thank the Busselton community with their assistance in this matter, it’s been an ongoing inquiry where lots of information has been received by Crime Stoppers,” he said. 

“As part of the investigation, police are trying to locate the owner of this axe that was located near the scene.

“It is an item of interest to the investigation so we would like anyone that recognises the FISKARS brand X7 model axe to please contact Crime Stoppers or Bunbury detectives as soon as possible.

“We encourage anyone who has any further information on the death of Samuel Riley to contact police.” 

The 31-year-old man was remanded in custody and will appear in Perth Magistrates Court on December 6. 

Homicide Squad detectives have been investigating the death of 31-year-old Sam Riley since he was located at his home in Carter Street, West Busselton on Tuesday, October 30 2018.

The 31-year-old was discovered by a carer making a visit to the property.

Detectives did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding Mr Riley’s death, but said it was a disturbing and confronting scene for those who were first to arrive. 

The shattered, grief-stricken family were in disbelief about the circumstances surrounding  his death and Sam’s mother Karen spoke to the media, in the hope they could get some answers.

“Initially, all that I could think was that he’s gone, but just in the last few days, I’m trying to understand what happened and why would it happen,” she said.

When Karen got a phone call from a support worker to say that Sam hadn't answered the door on October 30, she immediately left work.

Upon her arrival at Sam’s unit, she found police and ambulances at the scene.