The man found dead in a wheelie bin in Preston at the weekend may have been involved in drugs and had recently moved back into the garage of his mother's home.
The body of Ashley Phillips, 44, was found in a recycling bin on the corner of Young and Butler streets in Preston on Saturday morning.
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Body found inside bin in Preston
Police are investigating after a body was found inside in a bin Melbourne's north on Saturday morning. Vision courtesy Seven News Melbourne .
A garbage truck driver was emptying the bin into the back of his truck when he made the grim discovery. Police believe the bin had been left on the nature strip in the early hours of Friday, May 26.
It is believed Mr Phillips had recently moved back into his elderly mother's home in Broadmeadows, where neighbours had raised concerns about drug deals taking place in the street.
"I've rung the police on him a few times. A lot of cars pull up here for two minutes then they go," said one neighbour, who requested not to be named. She said Mr Phillips had been living in the house's garage.
Neighbour George Facciol said he believed Mr Phillips had returned home a few months ago to live with his mother. His father died some years ago.
Mr Facciol described him as "a little odd".
"He never said 'hi' or 'g'day'," he said.
He believed Mr Phillips drove a late model, light blue Ford. He, like other neighbours, said he had not seen Mr Phillips or his mother for more than a week.
Mr Phillips was wearing a distinctive T-shirt depicting Korean pop group Big Bang.
He told friends on his Facebook page in 2015 that he had been living in his parents' garage after losing his job at Mazda. He also wrote multiple times about a relationship break-up with a woman.
"I really loved her and thought she was my soul mate oh well better now than later," he wrote. "She broke my heart atm feel like ill never love again it been over a year now."
He wrote that he was fired from Mazda after an "altercation" in relation to a lease car which had been considered a breach of conduct.
The bin in which Mr Phillips' body was found is believed to be from the local council area, but not from either Young or Butler streets.
"Police are appealing for anyone that may have seen any suspicious activity at the intersection of Young and Butler streets or the surrounding area," Acting Sergeant Melissa Seach said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.