A violent home invasion in the early hours of December 2024, left two young people dead and three men facing murder charges, after a botched and brutal break-in at a Parson Street home in Rye.
At approximately 4am on 2 December 2024, four individuals — Tyler Vandesteeg (29), Mason Matticoli (24), Jarod Smit (25), and Charlyze “Charlie” Hayter (19) — allegedly forced their way into Jack Gilmour’s home in a suspected drug raid.
Inside the home, Gilmour, 29, was allegedly beaten with a baton as Hayter rummaged through his belongings. In an act of self-defence, he retrieved a shotgun and fired at Hayter, fatally wounding her.
Moments later, one of the three male intruders allegedly turned the gun on Gilmour, killing him before the group fled the scene.
Later that evening, Vandesteeg allegedly recorded a video on his mobile phone, stating:
“I f—ing murdered someone, yeah.”
The alleged confession video showed Vandesteeg wearing fluoro Nike sneakers believed to be stained with blood. His DNA was later matched to two shotgun cartridges found at the scene.
In the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, Crown prosecutor Daniel Porceddu described the case against Vandesteeg as “very strong”, citing:
- A direct video confession
- DNA evidence on ammunition
- Telecommunications data linking Vandesteeg to Matticoli on the night of the murder
- CCTV showing alleged offenders using the victim’s stolen bank card
All three men — Vandesteeg, Matticoli, and Smit — have been charged with murder, aggravated home invasion, and armed robbery.
The court heard the group fled with a black duffel bag, along with bank cards later used in nearby transactions. Police allege the incident was a targeted home invasion connected to drug activity — not a random attack.
Vandesteeg’s legal team has urged the court to disregard the video confession, arguing he was drug-affected at the time and suffers from bipolar disorder. His father has offered a $100,000 surety in a bid to secure his release into a residential rehabilitation program.
A decision on bail is expected Thursday, with a committal hearing scheduled for September.
Definitely no bail for Vandesteeg