Police investigations into the brutal death in Australia of New Zealand millionaire Herman Rockefeller have revealed the likelihood he led a double life which included a hidden girlfriend and links to Melbourne's swingers scene.
Human remains found in the backyard of a run-down Housing Commission home in suburban Glenroy are thought to be those of the 52-year-old former Brierley Investments executive, who disappeared nine days ago, according to Melbourne's Sunday Herald Sun.
• Family shocked to hear of burial
Bernadette Denny, 41, and Mario Schembri, 57, will appear in court tomorrow charged with his murder.
Rockfeller had a string of successful companies but appeared to be an average, albeit wealthy, suburban father and husband.
However, police believe he led a secret double life and had allegedly met the pair charged with his murder through an internet site for swingers, or people who swap sexual partners.
The news has shocked family and friends in New Zealand.
Former Otago cricket captain Robbie Lawson, who is also the nephew of Rockefeller's wife Vicky, said such behaviour would be "out of character" for the man he knew.
"We still don't know how or why anything's happened," he told the Herald on Sunday. "We're completely shocked and just coming to terms with (his death)."
Dr Jim Watson, who established Genesis Research with Rockefeller in 1993 and remained a close friend, said the news was "what we dreaded".
Police allege Rockefeller was killed at Denny's home in South St, Hadfield, and his body later burned and buried in the backyard of a home in View St, Glenroy.
Police inquiries have revealed that Rockefeller had at least one mystery girlfriend, and that the pair had been involved in the swingers scene. He also had five secret pre-paid mobile phones.
Outside the family home in Melbourne's East Malvern, Rockefeller's brother and business partner, Robert Rockefeller, thanked the police, media, and the public for their help.
"Our family is devastated by Herman's loss and deeply shocked by the circumstances of his death," he said. "This is an intensely painful time for all members of our immediate and extended family."
