ONE Wilkinson Rd, a modest fibro, weatherboard and corrugated iron cottage in a semi-rural enclave on the outskirts of Gunnedah, seemed a most unlikely setting for violent death and mystery yesterday morning.

Gunnedah police were called to the scene shortly after 10am when they were told a man had been found dead in a pool of his own blood in the carport.

While police have yet to label the incident as murder or manslaughter, rumours were flying thick and fast late yesterday with talk of an altercation and a possible love triangle.

Neighbours and friends of the family who had rushed to the scene after hearing of the death said yesterday morning they had heard forensic crime scene investigators – already in the region to probe another mystery death at Inverell – were being sent to the property.

The Leader was unable to confirm this.

Local officers and Sydney-based police media remained tightlipped about the incident yesterday.

Police have said they are treating the death of the man – believed to be in his 50s – as highly suspicious.

It is the second suspicious death in the region over the long weekend (see separate report).

The unconfirmed report of the man’s age is a result of the appearance of the property.

One Wilkinson Rd is not a young person’s abode.

A torn, hand-lettered, sign on the front fence read “Cum... cott(age)”.

A clump of unkempt geraniums added colour to the front yard.

A kings park special bottlebrush was just about to burst forth into bloom and a vintage 1950s truck was parked outside a simple post and wire fence of Heath Robinson-esque design.

A constellation of hanging baskets decorated the verandah.

It is thought there were no other people home at the time with the body reportedly discovered by a neighbour.