A beloved western Sydney grandfather has been stabbed to death and his house doused in hydrochloric acid, with one police officer who attended the grisly scene having to be hospitalised for chemical burns.
Shocked neighbours on Thursday described Joe Ziri as a “very good man” and a “family man” with a “beautiful” heart after the 91-year-old was discovered dead inside his Roselands home on Wednesday evening.
Police were called to the Hillview St, Roselands home about 9.55pm after Mr Ziri’s son Anthony called triple-0.
Officers arrested Mr Ziri’s step-grandson a short time later and police are attempting to piece together whether a family dispute was at the heart of the incident.
The 24-year-old man was covered in blood when he was arrested at a nearby home and was taken to hospital where he remains under police guard.
The 24-year-old, who is the stepson of Mr Ziri’s son Anthony, is yet to speak to police as he undergoes treatment for injuries in hospital and has not been charged.
“The 24-year-old male is under police guard,” Superintendent Sheridan Waldau said.
“And we do believe that it’s a family-related matter.
“We’re not sure of the circumstances of exactly what happened last night, we haven’t been able to talk to the 24-year-old male at this stage. How it occurred, we’re not sure.”
Neighbours on Thursday spoke glowingly of Mr Ziri, whose wife also died in late 2021, due to Covid-19.
“Joe was a very, very good man,” said Robert Farhat.
“We never had any problems since 1988 when we live (in the area) together
“He was a close friend, we talk to him at his place, we get some coffee.”
Susie Fakhry lived nextdoor to Mr Ziri and his family in a nearby street for 25 years, before he moved to his Hillview St home, and described his death as a “tragedy”.
“He was a great dad, a great grandfather, everybody is in shock,” she said.
“He was well known, it’s really sad. I’m lost for words.
“He was a family man, he used to mind his own business, he did a lot of maintenance at home, did his own stuff, raised his kids and we saw them growing up.
“He was a beautiful, holy spirited man.”
Police on Thursday had blocked off Hillview Street, a quiet, tree-lined suburban cul-de-sac and forensic officers were seen entering the home wearing hazmat suits.
Police officers who attended the scene on Wednesday night were overwhelmed by fumes and it was discovered that hydrochloric acid had been doused around the scene.
Police said the acid had been spread around the home, but not on Mr Ziri’s body.
Both officers were taken to hospital, with one receiving oxygen for chemical burns but they have been discharged and are expected back at work on Thursday afternoon.
NSW Fire and Rescue team had to clear the property before officers could re-enter.
One family member was highly emotional when the 24-year-old was taken into custody on Wednesday evening and had to be restrained, though he was not arrested.
The 24-year-old man suffered injuries after leaving the scene.
“We’re not sure about the circumstances as to how the injuries came about but he does have some injuries which require treatment and possibly some surgery,” Superintendent Waldau said.
