An 84-year-old man who was brutally bashed in a shocking assault outside his south Perth home on August 16 has died in hospital.
Mr Emiliano Lombardi had been rushed to Royal Perth Hospital following the sickening attack that saw him bashed with a broken car wing mirror after he left the safety of his home at around 7pm to investigate a disturbance in his backyard.
He was placed into an induced coma and remained in the hospital’s intensive care for two weeks – where he also underwent facial reconstructive surgery – but tragically he succumbed to his injuries last night.
Police photos released of Mr Lombardi’s attack were released the day after the assault, prompting a huge outpouring of anger from the public.
The 84-year-old had suffered numerous deep lacerations to his head and body, a broken nose and eye injuries in the attack.
A much-loved resident of the East Cannington neighbourhood where he lived, local residents rallied to help their elderly neighbour in his time of need – Mr Lombardi’s house was repainted and replastered by local tradies; and others visited to feed his chickens and tend his vegetable garden.
Local businesses also reportedly offered new bedding to the pensioner, after the images of his blood-stained bedroom were made public.
WA Police arrested two men over the assault, taking 28-year-old Quade Karsum Jones and 24-year-old Seville Grove into custody just a few days after the incident.
Jones was charged over Mr Lombardi’s attack and also with the indecent assault of a woman in her 40s, and the assault of a man and woman in their 20s.
Police allege the pair committed multiple acts in a crime spree that lasted around an hour on the night of Mr Lombardi’s assault.
The WA Police Homicide Squad has now taken over the investigation and it’s expected that charges against the pair will be upgraded following Mr Lombardi’s death.
