A man has been charged with murder after the body of a beloved local entertainer was found in the NSW Central West region over the weekend.
Bernie Peri was found dead inside of his home on Alluvial Street in Parkes, 90 minutes south of Dubbo, on Sunday.
Detective Inspector Jason Darcy confirmed that Peri had attended a karaoke night at his local pub, The Royal Hotel, just hours before he was allegedly murdered.
They also allege the accused attended the karaoke night.
Peri was a frequent performer at The Royal Hotel and a beloved member of the community and Parkes Elvis Festival committee.
One friend of Bernie’s said the news had left the community “devastated’.
“Everyone was shocked when they heard what happened … Bernie’s been such a legend to our Parkes Elvis Festival and also to Parkes community,” he said.
“I was devastated. It was terrible.”
“For the person that he was, this was just unbelievable that anything like that could happen to a guy like Bernie.
“He was the kind of guy that would give you anything, if you were down and out he would help you.”
Peri died from head injuries, NSW Police said.
After a day of investigations, a 28-year-old man was arrested in Tullamore.
Tullamore is 100 kilometres north-west of Parkes.
Police believe the men knew each other.
He was taken to Parkes police station where he was charged with murder.
He has been refused bail and will appear in Parkes Local Court.
