ABC News reported that police were called to the Davidson St townhouse in Bellfield, an apartment block in the northeast of the city, around lunchtime on Wednesday after a friend found him dead.

Police later arrested a man named Simon Hunter, 54, after reviewing CCTV footage and talking to him.

The next day, Hunter appeared in the Melbourne magistrates’ court charged with Leong’s murder. The court heard he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had no fixed address.

Magistrate Tara Hartnett was told that Leong’s family had arrived from Malaysia on Thursday morning and were meeting with police.

Hunter has been remanded in custody before the matter returns to court on Jan 16.

Leong had worked at a public health services company in Melbourne since 2021.

His employer called his death a “tragedy” that would be “felt by many”.

In a statement, Eastern Health chief executive David Plunkett said Leong would be “remembered for his passion, kindness and dedication to his team and the broader community”.

“KC was recognised as a talented leader and was also a mentor for many of our emerging pharmacists,” he said.

Wisma Putra, in a statement, said it was providing consular assistance to Leong’s family.