Bunbury man charged over death

Major Crime Squad detectives charged a man on Friday over the death of Gary Welhan after an altercation on Spencer Street in Bunbury on November 2.

A 22-year-old South Bunbury man was charged with assault occasioning death after an appeal by Mr Welhan’s family on Friday for information.

The accused appeared in court on Saturday and was remanded in custody to appear again on Monday.

Mr Welhan, 48, died in hospital after he was found collapsed near the intersection of Rose and Spencer streets at 8.25pm – he had been out walking his dog.

Mr Welhan’s sister Tina Watt was surrounded by family members at Bunbury Police Station on Friday when she described her brother as a kind and caring great uncle.

“He wasn’t out to hurt anyone and someone has taken him away from us forever and we will never see him again – it’s devastating, ” Mrs Watt said.

“Our hearts are broken forever and they will never be mended.

“Now me and my brother and my sister are three not four and we’ll miss him terribly.”

The family spent last week in a state of shock as Major Crime Squad detectives investigated Mr Welhan’s death.

“It is gut wrenching, ” Mrs Watt said.

Mrs Watt said her brother’s dog sat with Mr Welhan until people went to his aid.

“I’m not sure who they were but I’d like to say thank you to those people who stayed with my brother until he was able to be taken to the hospital, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart, ” she said.

Mr Welhan lived in Bunbury and regularly walked his dog around Spencer Street.