Grandfather, 50, dies after Christmas Day bashing
A Melbourne grandfather is dead after being hit in the head during an attack on Christmas night with another fight breaking out at the property days later, police have revealed.
Anthony Clark, 50, was struck on December 25 outside a Mooroolbark property just before 11pm (local time).
He was taken to hospital but died in the past 24 hours, Victoria Police confirmed on Tuesday.
The victim's brother-in-law said the grandfather and other family members were outside the home when they were attacked.
"He's in intensive care. He's brain dead. It's heartbreaking," he told 3AW last week.
Mr Clark’s stepdaughter Jess Clark told Nine News his death had taken its toll on her daughter.
“My daughter’s lost her everything now. She just wants her poppy to come home and he’s never going to come home,” she said.
She said the altercation began after fireworks at their property prompted another group’s dog to start barking.
A 59-year-old woman, understood to be Ms Clark’s mother, was also taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Another fight broke out at the same property on December 27, and four people have been arrested and charged.
A 28-year-old Maryborough man, a 33-year-old Lilydale man, a 27-year-old woman of no fixed address and another woman from Mooroolbark have been charged with affray.
They were bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates Court in May.
Homicide detectives and SES personnel are searching the Mooroolbark street for weapons or items involved in the Christmas night assault.
Detectives are trying to determine whether the two incidents were related.
Police have appealed to anyone with information, or who may have seen objects which might have been used in the fight, to contact them.
With AAP
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report online.
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