UPDATE:
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Police have revealed concerns Ken ‘Kenny’ Handford may have been keeping cash at his Spingbank home.
![Investigation: The scene of the crime at Barkstead-Bungaree Road. Pictures: Lachlan Bence Investigation: The scene of the crime at Barkstead-Bungaree Road. Pictures: Lachlan Bence](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/m6RwrvLJuMgQ7daFYpyFX9/a7ccd0eb-b3ed-45f9-b2b1-2a582997c215.JPG/r0_0_3696_2456_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The homicide squad are investigating Mr Handford’s death after his body was found on Tuesday afternoon.
Detective Inspector Mick Hughes said the investigation was still in its early stages with a post-mortem expected to conducted later on Wednesday.
![Kenny Handford Kenny Handford](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/37hbXPgSQcKgDJNpKiUUGnk/8d8b5288-5f01-49a8-bfec-5a454ed1b467.jpg/r0_0_478_718_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
However, the focus is now turning to anyone who may have seen Mr Handford after midday on Sunday.
Detective Inspector Hughes said Mr Handford was uncontactable via phone after this time.
“This is a very tight knit farming community, speaking to the residents yesterday, the secret lies in the community, people often know who is moving in and out,” he said.
“We are relying on those people to come forward.
“I know there was some concerns he may have stored money at the property, he is still working, he is a part-time farm worker and I believe he also sold farm machinery.
“There are some concerns from the family he may have had money stored at the property and we certainly know there has been a search of the property.”
Detective Inspector Hughes also reiterated the house had not been ransacked, but had definitely been searched.
He also said it was important if Mr Handford had shared any concerns with anyone in the area to contact police immediately.
Investigators are appealing for information and urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
EARLIER:
Shock swept through the Springbank community on Tuesday afternoon with the body of an elderly resident discovered in his home.
![Search for answers: Ballarat Criminal Investigation Unit senior sergeant Dave Hermit attends the scene at Barkstead-Bungaree Road yesterday. Search for answers: Ballarat Criminal Investigation Unit senior sergeant Dave Hermit attends the scene at Barkstead-Bungaree Road yesterday.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/m6RwrvLJuMgQ7daFYpyFX9/cf9dd733-0d7b-4883-985a-f4850d9b6edf.JPG/r0_0_2456_3689_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Homicide police were called to the rural property at 1.25pm after a neighbour had gone to visit the isolated farmhouse to wish the sole male resident a happy birthday. It is believed he would have turned 90 on Tuesday.
Detective Inspector Mick Hughes said the man’s son and daughter had both been notified, but were still attempting to contact all relatives late yesterday afternoon before releasing his name.
Media reports named the man as being Ken Handford.
Police continued combing the house at Barkstead-Bungaree Road for clues into Tuesday night.
![Crime scene: The isolated farmhouse were the man's body was discovered by a neighbour on Tuesday. Crime scene: The isolated farmhouse were the man's body was discovered by a neighbour on Tuesday.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/m6RwrvLJuMgQ7daFYpyFX9/5fa12d38-7d7c-4299-bb41-dc51fb811362.JPG/r0_0_3696_2456_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Early reports were the man was found with his legs bound, however Det Insp Hughes said it was too early in the investigation to confirm the circumstances or cause of death.
“The house does appear to have been disturbed,” he said. “Someone has been through the house and that is why we are treating it as suspicious...They may have been looking for valuables.
“I wouldn't say it has been ransacked, but it has clearly been gone through.”
Det Insp Hughes said the man was last seen at his home address at 11am on Sunday after returning from Ballarat.
"Anyone that has seen anything...are asked to ring Crime Stoppers," he said.
"It is always concerning that elderly people are not safe in their own homes. We are hoping being a rural property that maybe neighbours know who is coming and going, and hopefully we'll get to a conclusion on this relatively quick."