TRAGIC DISCOVERY IN RURAL LATROBE VALLEY: MAN AND WOMAN FOUND DEAD AT HERNES OAK PROPERTY Emergency services uncovered the bodies of a 46-year-old man and 47-year-old woman inside their secluded bushland home on McGraths Track. Police treat the deaths as suspicious but are not seeking third-party suspects in the ongoing investigation.

By Regional Crime Correspondent Hernes Oak, Victoria, March 5, 2026 – A quiet rural community in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley was shattered on Monday when the bodies of a local couple were discovered inside their home on McGraths Track, Hernes Oak, near Moe. Emergency services responded to the property around 12:15pm after a welfare check prompted the grim find: a 46-year-old man, identified as Aaron Hammond, and his 47-year-old partner, Chamindika Jayawardena (also known as Chami Jay), both deceased.

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Man and woman found dead on rural property at Hernes Oak, near Moe in regional Victoria – ABC News

Hernes Oak, a small township about 7.5km south of Moe and roughly two hours east of Melbourne, sits amid rolling hills, farmland, and thick bushland in the shadow of the Latrobe Valley’s power stations. The isolated property on McGraths Track—surrounded by eucalyptus trees and open paddocks—offered little clue to the tragedy until police arrived.

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90 Mcgraths Track, Hernes Oak, VIC 3825 – realestate.com.au

Victoria Police confirmed the pair were known to each other and believe the deaths likely occurred over the weekend. No other individuals are currently being sought in connection with the incident, leading investigators to treat it as a suspected domestic-related matter, possibly a murder-suicide. The exact cause of death awaits autopsy results, with forensic teams and homicide detectives combing the scene for evidence. Specialized cleaners have since been observed at the property, indicating the need for thorough post-investigation remediation.

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How a police investigation into three suspected murders led detectives to a remote South Australian property – ABC News

Neighbors reported hearing two distinct “bangs”—believed to be gunshots—late Saturday night, around 10:30pm to 11pm, roughly 30 seconds apart. One resident, living about 400 meters away, initially dismissed the sounds as fireworks or pest control but later connected them to the timeline. The noises echoed through the quiet night in this tight-knit area, where such events are rare and deeply unsettling.

The couple was remembered locally as quiet residents. Aaron Hammond worked as a boilermaker at the nearby Yallourn power station, contributing to the region’s industrial backbone. Chamindika Jayawardena was known in the community, though details of her life remain private amid the grief. The discovery has left neighbors in shock, with the remote location amplifying feelings of isolation in the face of tragedy.

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Late Afternoon Light Landscape in Farmland Near Moe Stock Image – Image of cloud, sunset: 269734381

Police cordoned off the site immediately, with officers in high-visibility gear and forensic specialists working methodically. The investigation remains active, focusing on the timeline, relationship dynamics, and any contributing factors. Victoria Police urged anyone with information—particularly those who may have seen or heard anything unusual over the weekend—to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report online.

In the Latrobe Valley, where communities are close and hardships are shared, this incident serves as a somber reminder of hidden struggles behind closed doors. As autopsies proceed and more details emerge, the focus remains on understanding what led to this heartbreaking loss in a place far from the spotlight.

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Visit Latrobe Valley: 2026 Travel Guide for Latrobe Valley, Victoria | Expedia