Nationals candidate Shaun Gilchrist was facing sexual assault and rape charges before sudden death
Police have confirmed Gilchrist’s death is not being treated as suspicious.
“The 47-year-old was found in bushland in the vicinity of Coppers Creek Road on Sunday 20 November about 4.15pm,” police said in a statement.
Gilchrist was due to face the County Court next Wednesday for a directions hearing on three charges of sexual assault and one count of rape, 9News understands.
Nationals leader Peter Walsh today refused to answer any questions surrounding the charges.
“I am not going to get into commentary,” he said.
“I am going to respect those specific requests to not talk about these issues at the moment.
“We are talking about the widow and two young children who have lost their father, I am going to respect the request of privacy.”
Narrocan is a traditionally safe Liberal seat, located east of Melbourne in Victoria’s La Trobe Valley.
The seat, in north-west Gippsland, was being contested as sitting Liberal MP Gary Blackwood is retiring.
Walsh paid tribute to Gilchrist, as did Premier Daniel Andrews.
“The Victorian Nationals express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr Gilchrist, and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time,” Walsh said.
Andrews said the candidate was well-respected by many people in the community for “his warmth, humour and hard work”.
“On behalf of the Victorian government, I offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the National Party’s Candidate for Narracan, Shaun Gilchrist,” he said.
“I have no doubt he shared the same ambition so many of us do in wanting to get involved with politics to change society for the better, and make a positive contribution to the community around him.”
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