Police are investigating after the "mummified" body of a man in his 60s was found at a Gold Coast home, with officers saying he could have been dead for years.
Police sources told the ABC that authorities made the grim discovery at a property at Benowa last month after a relative of the man raised concerns with police.
The relative had travelled to Queensland to visit the man when the 69-year-old's stepson allegedly would not let anyone see him, claiming he was unwell, the sources said.
The elderly man's stepson allegedly then claimed the man had been hospitalised for an illness, police sources said.
But officers told the ABC the relative phoned several hospitals who said the man was not a patient.
The relative then contacted emergency services.
It is understood initial investigations indicate the elderly man may have been dead for up to two years.
Cause of death unclear
Police sources said the man's body was found in a bed at the home, which the 69-year-old shared with his wife and stepson.
Officers have described the state of decomposition of the man's body as being "mummified" but without any observable injuries.
Police sources say the occupants of the property rarely left the house and had groceries and other necessities delivered.
A crime scene was established at the home last month and officers from the Queensland Police's Homicide Investigation Unit have been called in to investigate the death.
No-one has been charged.
Gold Coast Regional Crime Coordinator Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith told the ABC a post-mortem had been undertaken on the man but the cause of death was still unclear.
Further tests are being undertaken.
Detective Superintendent Smith said officers were called to the property to conduct a welfare check at the request of the family.
"The matter is being investigated but it is still too early to say whether it's suspicious," he said.
"What we do know is that it's unexplained and we're working towards closure for the family as soon as we can."
Detective Superintendent Smith said the investigation was ongoing and was likely to continue for some time.
