A man accused of the murder of a missing Melbourne tradie who vanished without trace five months ago has appeared in court.
Adrian Romeo, 43, was last seen at his home in Dempster Drive in Craigieburn, in Melbourne‘s north, at about 5.30pm on February 10.
On Friday, Robert Mantini, 58, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with one count of murder.
Mantini, dressed in green, sat quietly behind protective bullet-proof glass throughout the short hearing.
He was represented by high-flying Melbourne barrister Dermot Dann, KC for the short filing hearing.
Mr Dann – who is working on a Supreme Court of Victoria appeal against the conviction of killer ex-Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn – appeared before Magistrate Brett Sonnett for the hearing.
He told the court his client would require medication to treat his anxiety while behind bars awaiting his next court date in December.
The court heard police required until October 18 to compile its brief of evidence against the alleged killer – a period longer than is ordinarily required.
Robert Mantini is accused of murdering Adrian Romeo, 43, in February this year
Mr Dann made no objection to the plan, asking simply for his client to be treated for his mental condition.
Mantini’s arrest came soon after a Victoria Police media campaign highlighting the mysterious disappearance of Mr Romeo.
Within days of the renewed publicity, police converged on a rural property in Wildwood, north-west of Melbourne, 21km from where Mr Romeo was last seen.
More than 100 police officers and SES members were seen with cadaver dogs and dirt bikes in their search of the 400-acre property on Tuesday.
A 34-year-old man who was living in a bus on the property was arrested after detectives allegedly found guns, drugs, ammunition and stolen vehicles.
Victoria Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia early Wednesday that that man has since been charged with prohibited person possess firearm, possess cartridge ammunition, possess imitation firearm, handle stolen goods and possessing drugs of dependence.
But detectives said none of the charges were related to Mr Romeo’s disappearance or suspected death.
Adrian Romeo, 43, (pictured) was last seen at his home on February 10
More than 100 police and SES members searched the property (pictured) using dirt bikes, garden tools and cadaver dogs
Police believe that man was not known to Mr Romeo.
At least four vehicles were allegedly seized from the property to be forensically tested in the hope they could provide a link to Mr Romeo’s disappearance.
It is understood detectives scoured Wildwood Road for CCTV footage of Mr Romeo’s car for weeks after his disappearance.
His cousin Charlie described his cousin as a ‘hard worker’ who was ‘loved by a lot of people’.
‘How this has happened, we don’t know,’ he said.
On February 10, Mr Romeo had told his parents he was going to nearby Greenvale to visit some friends.
It’s believed Mr Romeo left in his gold Toyota Camry to attend an address in the neighbouring suburb, where he spoke to a number of associates.
A man who was living on a bus on the property was arrested (pictured the police searching the large farm)
Police believe Mr Romeo met with foul play as it was out of character to not contact his close-knit family and close circle of friends
He has not been heard from since and his bank accounts remained untouched, leading detectives to suspect his disappearance was suspicious.
‘Adrian has a large number of friends, there is nothing in Adrian’s history to link him to any organised crime, there is nothing to explain why he might have gone missing,’ Victoria Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said on Sunday.
‘Adrian’s disappearance is incredibly concerning for police, as well as his friends and family.
‘We are very confident that Adrian’s disappearance is suspicious and I’m of the belief he is deceased.’
Prior to his disappearance, Mr Romeo was close to his friends and family, said detectives.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
