Shortly after 6.35am Saturday (August 20), Police and Ambulance Paramedics were called to a unit at number four Wigan Avenue, Armidale. The unit is part of a new community housing complex in west Armidale. Upon arrival, Police discovered a 47-year-old Armidale man deceased in a bedroom.
Neighbours to the complex said that they did not hear any disturbances.
The circumstances surrounding the death appeared to be suspicious and a Crime Scene Investigation specialist was called in to examine the unit and surrounds. A Police guard was placed around the building. Shortly after 1.15pm Saturday, Forensic Services left with bags of evidence and the body was then removed by local Funeral Directors (Piddington’s).
Inspector Rod Shoesmith said that a post-mortem would be conducted in Newcastle this week. It is understood that, until Police have toxicology and post-mortem results in hand, they will not be able to ascertain the exact cause of death.
Lloyd Aspinall, a 38-year-old Armidale man, was ‘assisting Police with their inquiries into the matter’ for a considerable amount of time on Saturday afternoon. He was later charged with two counts of administer prohibited drug to another person.
These charges relate to the alleged administration of a prohibited drug to the 47-year-old man and another person.
Aspinall did not reside in the unit where the man was found deceased. He is thought to have been living about four city blocks away.
He was refused bail when he appeared in Armidale Bail Court on Sunday morning.
On Monday morning, the west Armidale resident re-appeared in Armidale Local Court via video link before Magistrate Mark Richardson. Bail was not applied for and was formally refused. The matter has been adjourned until September 7.
Investigations are continuing into all of the circumstances surrounding the death of the 47-year-old man and a report will be prepared for the Coroner. At this stage, there have been no charges laid in relation to the man’s death.
Story: Gary Fry
