AAP and Cade Lucas
A man who allegedly killed his wife in Victoria and dumped her in a wheelie bin has fled overseas, police believe.
The remains of a 35-year-old Point Cook woman Chaithanya “Swetha” Madhagani were discovered in Buckley, southwest of Geelong about noon on Saturday.
Footage of the area on the day showed detectives and police near a wheelie bin in bushes on the side of Mount Pollock Road, which is believed to be the crime scene.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman on Thursday said they wanted to speak to the mother of one’s 38-year-old husband, who is believed to be overseas.
“Detectives still wish to speak to a 38-year-old Point Cook man, who is the husband of the woman, however, we understand this man remains offshore at this time,” the spokeswoman said.
“Due to the seriousness of the matter, there is much we unfortunately cannot comment on as we don’t want to jeopardise the ongoing investigation.
“This includes information about any ongoing enquiries or liaison with any other agencies here in Australia or internationally, or any liaison with the victim’s family.”
Victoria Police directed queries about possible extradition proceedings to the federal Attorney-General’s office.
Friends of Ms Madhagani have launched a GoFundMe page to help family members in India with mounting costs.
“The intentions are to help her family in this tragic time and help give her the send-off she deserves,” a statement on the page said.
“The collected funds will be used to repatriate the body and to give a [sic] guaranteed money for the kid who is now a kind of orphan.”
The statement paid tribute to Ms Madhagani as an “amazing woman” and an even better mother.
“She has a heart of gold and touched everyone’s hearts she met,” it said.
“There was never a dull moment in her presence.”
The dead woman was formally identified on Wednesday night.
The GoFundMe page has so far raised $16,500 from 435 donations and has a target of $20,000.
A vigil for family, friends and members of the public to mourn Ms Madhagani had been planned for this weekend in Point Cook, but has since been postponed.
