Lara man faces court for Hoppers Crossing death

A 21-year-old Lara man has been remanded in custody over the murder of Prasad Somawansa last Thursday.

Sigaragh Baea, dressed in a white collared shirt, showed no emotion during the very brief appearance before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Sunday morning.

Mr Baea, who is beleived to be a former school friend of Ms Somawansa’s son, did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody for a file hearing on Tuesday.

Prasad Somawansa, 48, was found dead in her Hoppers Crossing home on Thursday evening.

A friend discovered her body at the family’s two-storey home in Barber Street after her concerned husband could not contact her.

Emergency services were called to the property just after 9.30pm. Police said Ms Somawansa had suffered severe upper body injuries.

Homicide detectives arrested Mr Baea on Saturday afternoon. He was charged with one count of murder.

Allison Worrall, The Age