A talented young pharmacist is being mourned by his colleagues after he was allegedly murdered by a homeless man at an apartment complex.

Emergency services were called to a home in the building at Bellfield in Melbourne’s north-east, about 11.30am on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old man’s body was found at the scene.

The victim has been identified as Kum Chuan ‘KC’ Leong by his workplace, Eastern Health, where he worked in the pharmacy team.

Leong’s friends and colleagues expressed their shock at his death, with the health district’s chief executive David Plunkett describing ‘KC’ as “warm and generous”.

“KC was recognised as a talented leader and was also a mentor for many of our emerging pharmacists,” Plunkett said.

“He will be remembered for his passion, kindness and dedication to his team and the broader community.

“This tragedy will be felt by many.”

Leong completed his master’s degree in clinical pharmacy in July, and had been a resident pharmacist at Eastern Health since 2021, according to his LinkedIn profile.

A 54-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested near the crime scene and interviewed by Victoria Police homicide squad detectives. He has since been charged with Leong’s murder.

A neighbour said she heard cries and screams from the apartment about 11.30pm on Tuesday.

“It was shrills over a period of maybe 10 minutes,” the neighbour said.

The alleged killer was to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon.

-AAP