Peru death tumble haunts Geelong trio

She originally claimed the ordeal was a setup, writing on her blog she “nearly got framed for a murder”.

“We’ve been advised by our lawyers not to say anything,” Ms Vo said.

“It’s the most ridiculous situation we’ve had to deal with.”

Ms Vo and boyfriend Hugh were holidaying in Peru for a month before being joined by brother Thomas for a further two months.

“I just graduated, so it was a celebration of beating cancer and starting afresh once we got back,” Ms Vo said.

But the Rodriguez family told Peruvian media the original investigation suffered political interference and said there was forensic evidence that showed there was a scuffle before the death. The death was originally ruled suicide but a Peru police spokesman allegedly told local television there was doubt on the finding.

Tom Hanlon declined to discuss specific details of the case.

“We are not discussing it we really don’t know what is going on,” he said yesterday.

“Yes, we are talking to a lawyer but we don’t know what this all means and we don’t know what (Peru police) want.”

New Limited has been told the group along with three other Australians from NSW arrived in Lima from Machu Picchu in mid-January and briefly saw Mr Vilchez, a doorman, as they arrived.

Following the death, Peruvian police interviewed all guests in the building.

The Australians asked for a translator but were not afforded one.

A source said one of the officers returned in civilian clothes the next day and claimed to have found an Australian $10 note on Mr Vilchez.

The officer allegedly pulled the note from his pocket and they were asked to identify it.

They believe the officer wanted them to touch the note. The officer then alleged the group had failed to tell the police all they knew.

The Australians contacted their embassy and were later informed they could catch their pre-booked flights to Brazil and Ecuador.

All three Geelong residents involved have since returned to Australia.

They only found out about the accusations being made by the Rodriguez family through a “hate” Facebook page.

It is understood Mr Vilchez was in debt and his family do not stand to collect a payout if his death is deemed a suicide.

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