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Chilling twist surrounding mummified body found in hoarder house

A chilling twist has emerged in the case of a mummified man found in a Greenwich hoarder’s home, with investigators revealing the man had been shot.

Shane Snellman’s body was found with a gunshot wound to his shoulder as investigators speculate that he was a cat burglar caught in the act.

The shocking theory suggests that Mr Snellman was caught breaking into hoarder Bruce Roberts’ home and executed on the spot.

He was shot in his left shoulder with a rifle from above as he knelt on the floor just inside the lounge room window, according to 7News.

His mummified body had been inside the Greenwich property for 16 years and was found by cleaners in May. The property was being cleaned up to deal with Mr Roberts’ will.

Shane Snellman’s mummified body was found in with a gunshot wound to his shoulder as a theory proposes that the Greenwich mummy was a burglar.
Shane Snellman’s mummified body was found in with a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Source: AAP

“This is particularly a bizarre case. Extremely unusual,” Detective Chief Inspector Simon Jones said.

“We did find some air fresheners that were located around his body, which obviously would indicate someone in the house knew he was there.”

Mr Snellman was released from jail in July 2002 after serving a stint for a string of break and enters.

He regularly withdrew welfare payments from his bank account until October that same year, leading police to believe that is when he was killed.

“Where he fell within the premises, he doesn’t appear to have been moved,” Detective Chief Inspector Jones said.

Shane Snellman's mummified remains were found in hoarder Bruce Roberts' Greenwich house
Shane Snellman’s mummified remains were found in hoarder Bruce Roberts’ house (pictured). Source: 7News

“Gradually over time a lot of the household items and rubbish and boxes and items built up around where Mr Snellman’s body was located.”

A preliminary post-mortem examination had previously revealed that Mr Snellman had suffered “a number of injuries,” Detective Chief Inspector Jones said in June.

Police are yet to completely settle on the theory of a botched break and enter followed by an execution style killing.

Officers are still eager to speak with anyone who can make another connection between the two men.