They looked the picture of a perfect marriage. Now one is at the morgue and the other may face life behind bars, accused of her killing her after a family Christmas get together.
John Beres, 63, posted the photo of himself and wife Yvonne to social media in 2017.
One friend noted what a nice photo of the couple it was.
On Thursday, a more disturbing picture of the couple emerged when Beres was charged with his wife’s murder.
A photo captured by news teams outside their Langwarrin home, in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, showed him being taken away in handcuffs by police.
Dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, he ought to have been clearing up after what by all accounts had been a pleasant Christmas gathering with the couple’s three children.
The alleged killer appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for a brief hearing on Thursday evening, hours after calling triple zero to report an ‘assault’ on his 59-year-old wife.
The court heard Beres, who is in custody for the first time, was vulnerable due to his age and health.
John Beres, 63, posted this photo of himself and wife Yvonne to social media in 2017
He suffered from type 2 diabetes and required regular medication for issues with his knees and back, The Age reported.
He spoke to confirm he took daily painkillers to deal with pain resulting from two back operations – in 2020 and 2021.
‘It’s a regular dosage that I take every day,’ he told the court.
His wife had been an administration manager with a local property consultant.
Emergency services had attended the Wood Duck Court home about 6.30am on Thursday after receiving Beres’ call.
Officers could not save Ms Beres, who was allegedly found with stab wounds inside the home.
Police arrested Beres at the scene and later charged him with one count of murder.
It is understood the couple had only recently moved into the neighbourhood from nearby Mount Eliza.
Victoria Police Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas told reporters the pair had just hosted their family for a Christmas Day gathering hours before the incident.
Police lead John Beres out of his home in handcuffs
Wood Duck Court became a crime scene amid claims of murder
He said the couple’s three adult children had been devastated by the alleged killing after being among those celebrating Christmas at the property.
‘The family of the [alleged] victim have been spoken to and obviously they’re extremely upset we’re here on Boxing Day,’ he said.
‘They’re very, very upset and distraught.
‘There’s a number of family members that we need to remember are impacted by this and there will be a number of friends also.’
The interactions between those who attended the gathering will be central to the investigation.
Police confirmed there had been no history of domestic violence between the couple.
Forensic teams found a weapon inside the house, but the detective would not confirm what was used to kill Ms Beres.
Ms Beres had been an administration manager with a local property consultant
It is not yet known whether Mr Beres called police immediately following his wife’s death or whether the alleged altercation had occurred some time before police and paramedics arrived.
Neighbours described Ms Beres as a lovely woman who enjoyed gardening and walking her foster greyhound.
‘Something like this happening in this quiet, friendly, little street is really shocking and especially at this time of the year,’ neighbour Martine Casagrande told The Age.
‘It’s hard to believe something like this has happened.’
Ms Casagrande, whose property backs onto the Beres family home, said the couple had been celebrating with friends in their backyard earlier this week and seemed to be in good spirits.
‘There was laughter and chit-chat and everything seemed very normal pre-Christmas … an enjoyable, pleasant feeling,’ she said.
‘They always say hello and speak when they walk past. There’s been no upsets of any kind, it’s been very peaceful, nothing like this you would imagine would happen.’
Anyone with dashcam footage, CCTV or information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.