Wild theory after man stabbed at home
Zdravko Bilic, 57, was found unresponsive by a neighbour in the front yard of a home in Napalle St in Warana about 7.35pm on Monday.
Police said he sustained two stab wounds to his abdomen. Zdravko Bilic was found dead in front of his Sunshine Coast home on Monday evening. NewsWire/ Patrick Woods Credit: News Corp Australia
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Detective Inspector Chris Toohey said it was possible Mr Bilic's body was lying there for several hours before he was found by a neighbour.
'At this stage, we're looking at between 11pm on the Sunday night the 13th and the 7pm to 7.30pm was when he was located,' he said.
Inspector Toohey said police were investigating several lines of inquiry, including the possibility Mr Bilic 'disturbed' an attempted break and enter.
Police understand Mr Bilic was alone at the time of the incident.
He said Mr Bilic's wife, Gry Susann Tomte, who was not at home at the time, was concerned she hadn't heard from him and 'inquired with the neighbour who discovered (the body)'.
'(Ms Tomte) was concerned because she hadn't heard from him and as a result spoke to the neighbour who made the emergency call,' he said. Businessman Zdravko Bilic and his wife Gry Tomte. Picture Facebook Credit: Supplied
Inspector Toohey described Mr Bilic as a 'valued member of the community' and his death as 'terrible' that 'shocked the neighbours'.
'He is a community-minded person that was well loved in the area,' Inspector Toohey said.
Mr Bilic and Ms Tomte purchased the Sunshine Coast mansion for $2.5m in December 2021 before settling into the home in March the following year.
Warana is considered one of the safest areas of the Sunshine Coast, known for its up-market homes and stretches of beaches.
'Sunshine Coast has got a very safe community,' Inspector Toohey said.
'We pride ourselves on having, trying to maintain a safer environment for all our residents and of course being a tourist destination, we also like for people coming to visit to feel safe.
'So it is a shock. It makes us more vigilant to maintain that level of safety and make sure that we hold the offenders to account.' Police are investigating whether the man's body was lying in the front yard for hours before he was discovered by a neighbour. NewsWire/ Patrick Woods. Credit: News Corp Australia
Ms Tomte, who is originally from Norway, is the co-founder of Melbourne-based skincare company HUD Skin and Body, which has clinics in St Kilda and Northcote.
She told 9News that Mr Bilic was the 'kindest, gentlest person I've ever known'.
'Loved by everyone who ever had the fortune of meeting him,' she said.
Police are urging anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from the Warana area between 11pm on Sunday, July 13, and 7.35pm on Monday, July 14, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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