A man is set to face court charged with murdering the West Coast Eagles’ ex-physiotherapist and coach of the Australian men’s beach handball team at his suburban home.
Patrik Weiss, 45, was found dead at Lockridge in Perth on Monday afternoon.
Homicide detectives established Operation Bulb to investigate the father of two’s apparently violent death.
West Australian police said on Sunday a 19-year-old man had been arrested at a High Wycombe home, charged with murder and was due to face Perth Magistrates Court.
Police previously said it did not appear to be a random incident and they did not believe there was any ongoing risk to the community.
“There are circumstances that are evident at the crime scene that give us (reasons) to suspect there was third-party involvement,” Inspector Geoff DeSanges told reporters.
According to reports in the WA press, Mr Weiss was found bound and blindfolded.
Handball Australia said Mr Weiss had served as the national men’s coach since 2013, having arrived from Germany almost a decade earlier.
He had recently been preparing the men’s team for the World Beach Games in Bali in August after Australia qualified as Oceania champions.
Mr Weiss was a sports physiotherapist and had also worked as a soft tissue therapist for the West Coast Eagles AFL club.
“This tragic news has shocked our community,” Handball Australia said.
“Patrik took a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction in developing the sport of beach handball, the growth of the players and building a positive team culture.
“For this Handball Australia is, and will remain, extremely grateful to Patrik.
“He will be sadly missed but remembered with affection and respect.”
The International Handball Federation said Weiss had led Australia to three world championships and had an “exceptional influence” on the sport in his adopted country.
-AAP
