Police have charged two men over the murder of Kenan Balikel, whose charred body was found in the boot of his car on the Bulla-Diggers Rest Road last year.
John Butorac, 58, of Keilor Downs, was charged with murder and Ante Bacak, 45, of Kealba, with being an accessory to murder.
Butorac was remanded in custody to appear in court this week.
Bacak appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday and was granted bail on condition he surrender his passport and report to police three times a week. Police allege Bacak helped Butorac set alight Mr Balikel’s car and made a false statement to police.
Two weeks ago, homicide squad police released the 14-kilometre route taken by Mr Balikel’s unregistered Peugeot on the night he was murdered.
They said at the time another car had probably followed the Peugeot so the driver could leave the scene after dumping Mr Balikel’s body.
Detectives examined CCTV footage from surrounding areas and said they were trying to identify a 4WD travelling closely behind the Peugeot at about 11.40pm on the night of Mr Balikel’s murder.
A spokeswoman said police were no longer looking for the 4WD.
Detective Senior Sergeant Stuart Bailey said he believed Mr Balikel was murdered near Freight Road, Tullamarine, before his body was transported to Diggers Rest.
“Our investigations have led us to believe Kenan was killed some time between 3 and 4pm near where he was last seen in Freight Road,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bailey said.
The body of Mr Balikel, 42, was burnt so badly police were able to identify him only through a fingerprint because one of his hands was caught beneath his body in the boot of his car.
Police said Mr Balikel was on the police register because he was convicted of handling stolen goods in 2001.
Can you help?
Anyone with information is urged to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
