Perth man appears in court over grandfather’s mystery death

A man has been charged with murder after a Perth grandfather was found collapsed near bushland in the city’s eastern suburbs earlier this year.

Jason Charles Clancy has been charged with the murder of Elmars Kalejs, after he was found collapsed in a carpark in Bedfordale on Good Friday this year.

Kalejs was found collapsed near the drivers’ side door of his silver Holden Commodore, with head injuries and broken ribs.

He was taken to Royal Perth Hospital but died two months later.

Police confirmed on Saturday they had laid charges over his death.

“Homicide Squad detectives have charged a 48-year-old Cloverdale man with murder in relation to his matter,” a spokesperson said.

Clancy, from Cloverdale, appeared in Perth Magistrate’s Court on Sunday.

He was represented by the Aboriginal Legal Service, and said he understood the charge.

Clancy has been remanded and will appear via video link at his next court date on August 20, in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court.

End of an investigation

It was understood Kalejs had been sleeping in his car at the time of the suspected assault, and police set up a mobile policing unit in Bedfordale in late July to try and gather information from the public.

They said they were most concerned with the 24-hour period before Kalejs’ body was found.

Homicide Squad Detective Senior Sergeant Jarrod Manson appealed to the public for any information.

“Somebody out there may know what happened, and exactly how Mr Kalejs sustained these injuries,” he said.

“We want to find that explanation and we believe that’s possible with the help of the community.”

Kalejs’ daughter Courtney Mallard also echoed police’s appeal for information.

“Please just help, if you know anything it’s OK, we forgive anyone who’s done it. Just please come forward,” she said.

“We just need closure as a family.”