A WODONGA man told an inquest yesterday about crying when he cleaned up a bloody mess left behind following the bashing of close friend Robert Evans at an Albury unit in 2006.
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Brendan Fox wore gloves as he cleaned the bloodied kitchen floor of Mr Evans’ unit in Small Street about a week after his death.
Mr Fox described finding tufts of hair in the blood in a corner of the kitchen.
The inquest has been told it is believed Mr Evans, 52, was fatally bashed on the evening of January 20, but his body was found two days later after concerns raised by a neighbour.
Mr Fox said when giving evidence that he received a phone call informing him of Mr Evans’ death with the caller suggesting he may have been murdered.
But Mr Fox said he had been unaware of the violent nature of the death when he made an initial statement to police on January 25.
He told of his shock and disbelief over the death, describing their relationship as being like father and son.
About a month before his death Mr Evans advised Mr Fox that he was a beneficiary of his will.
It was suggested by Mr Fox that Mr Evans should provide the benefits of his will to family.
After the death of Mr Evans, Mr Fox said he received “a couple of cabinets, bits and pieces”.
Some time later he got $60,000 from a Hovell Street house partly owned by Mr Evans with a former partner Brett Cromack.
Mr Fox said he had received information that Mr Cromack and his partner, Anthony Tants, were telling people Mr Evans died from an overdose.
“That’s only hearsay. There was so much talk around,” Mr Fox said.
Mr Evans usually kept his keys and a mobile phone capable of taking photos on a cabinet on the right side of his unit’s entry door.
The inquest has been told Mr Evans’ wallet was found inside his unit by police.
But his mobile phone was missing and has never been recovered.
Mr Fox said he was aware Mr Evans was seeing someone at the time of his death, but didn’t know who it was.
It was possible there may have been photographs of his new partner on the phone.
Mr Evans had been secretive about his partner, but told Mr Fox he may tell him more if the relationship worked out.
Mr Fox denied any involvement in the death of Mr Evans.
The inquest before Deputy State Coroner Scott Mitchell continues today.
