An African chef initially believed to have been killed in a car crash in Adelaide died of injuries inflicted in an assault beforehand, police have revealed, and declared the incident a major crime.
Caleb Leriano, 24, was the driver and sole occupant of a red BMW sedan that collided with a pole on Golflands View in Morphett Vale at about 1.30am on Wednesday.
Mr Leriano, who moved to Australia from Kenya, was found suffering life-threatening injuries but could not be saved, dying at the scene, which was just 100 metres from his home.
South Australia Police later determined Mr Leriano died of injuries that could not have been suffered in the crash, and now believe he was murdered and that the fatal attack was not random.
Detectives believe Mr Leriano drove to Saphire Reserve Morphett Vale for a “planned meeting” in the early hours of the morning, and are investigating the reason for the meeting and what occurred there.
“Caleb’s death is being treated as suspicious and has been declared a major crime,” Detective Inspector Andrew Macrae said.
“We know that Caleb’s injuries are not consistent with a motor vehicle accident, and I am confident that they are the result of an assault.”
Two homes have been searched so far as part of the investigation, along with the park where the meeting took place, and police have released photos of the car and a map of the area while asking anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward.
Mr Leriano’s father Mike told 7News his son was a “jovial young man from Kenya who was pursuing the Australian dream”.
He also gave his thanks to a Good Samaritan who found Caleb unresponsive and stayed with him until emergency services arrived.
Header image: Left, Caleb Leriano (7News). Right, the crashed car (South Australia Police).
