Vic manhunt launched over Crown killing

POLICE are hunting two people after a man was found with his throat cut in in Melbourne's Crown Metropol hotel.

THE victim, aged in his 30s, is yet to be identified, so police can't say whether he was a guest in the eighth floor room where he died about 2.30am on Sunday.

Detective Sergeant Nathan Favre said the person who booked the room is known to police.

It's believed at least two other people were present when the man died during an altercation, and that all the parties are known to each other.

No one has been arrested and Det Sgt Favre couldn't comment on whether any weapon had been recovered.

There is no evidence to indicate the attack was a result of a domestic dispute or that it was related to drugs or gang activity.

Det Sgt Favre said the reason for the altercation was not clear, but the circumstances of the man's death were troubling.

"There's an element of violence, which is distressing," he told reporters outside the hotel.

The incident was confined to one room. Police have spoken to a person who witnessed the assault, but say that person is not a suspect. They are also scrutinising CCTV and trying to work out what the victim was doing prior to his death.

Hotel security contacted police after patrons reported that a man had been injured. Det Sgt Favre said investigators wanted to speak with others who were in the room, and urged them to contact police.

"We're trying to get in contact with more than one person," he said. Crime scene investigators combed the room for clues. The killing left hotel patrons distressed.

"It's like you don't expect something to happen," Erin Barry told reporters outside the hotel.

"It's such a big establishment. There's security everywhere. There are security cameras everywhere. You just don't think that's going to happen."

Another woman told reporters: "I'm scared. I don't want to stay here anymore. I want to get out".

Source:  The Australian - 5th July 2015