A champion bodybuilder who died during a suspected home invasion when confronted by the owner had a troubled past, which once prompted a woman to take out a restraining order against him.
Bradley Soper, 35, was reportedly struggling with drug addiction, a relationship breakdown and financial issues, when he broke into a Harrington Park house in Sydney’s southwest on Sunday.
Mr Soper was disturbed by resident Johan Schwartz, 44, and the pair struggled, before the intruder collapsed and died at the scene.
Mr Schwartz was questioned by police and released without charge, and investigators were advised on Tuesday not to pursue him over the incident.
Disturbing details about Mr Soper’s past have continued to emerge in the wake of his death.
Court records viewed by news.com.au today show that Alysse Bowen, a former personal training client of Mr Soper, made an application for an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order against him in February 2017.
The matter was heard in Waverley Local Court with both parties present.
Mr Soper represented himself and was ordered to not assault, threaten, stalk, harass, intimidate or destroy or damage any property that belonged to Ms Bowen.
Conditions of the 12-month order also included that he “must not approach or be in the company of Alysse Suzanne Bowen for at least 12 hours after drinking alcohol or taking illicit drugs”.
News.com.au has contacted Ms Bowen for comment.
On Sunday, Mr Schwartz, 44, woke to sounds of his dogs barking around 7.30am and went downstairs, where he “challenged a male intruder located in the lounge room”.
Mr Schwartz was questioned for several hours by police but subsequently released without charge pending further inquiries.
Investigators from Camden Police Area Command will have the final say on whether or not the South African-born finance worker faces charges.
But according to the Sydney Morning Herald, the state crime command’s homicide squad has given advice not to charge Mr Schwartz unless an autopsy result shows evidence to the contrary.
Mr Schwartz’s wife and young child were home at the time of the incident.
Detective Chief Inspector Shane Woolbank on Sunday said “generally people are entitled to their home, and they’re entitled to use reasonable force to protect themselves and their property”.
Mr Schwartz, a South African finance worker, had been living in Harrington Park estate for less than two years when their family home was broken into on Sunday morning.
A neighbour told news.com.au he witnessed Mr Soper walking barefoot and “zombie-like” through the forest adjacent to the family home before climbing under, rather than over, a shin-high wooden fence.
It’s believed the 44-year-old dad walked downstairs to find Mr Soper, wearing a singlet, shorts and standing barefoot in his lounge room.
A violent struggle between the pair ensued before Mr Soper collapsed and died. Neighbours rushed to help and gave the man CPR and Mr Schwartz’s wife called triple-0 but he couldn’t be saved.
The ABC reports that Mr Soper was battling a cocaine addiction and had spent some time in hospital for kidney failure in the weeks leading up to his death.
“He had some personal issues, like everyone does … there was nothing in his personality that would ever indicate anything like this,” a friend told The Daily Telegraph.
But shocked loved ones continue to ask questions about the bizarre incident, describing Mr Soper’s behaviour in the lead-up to the home invasion as out of character.
“His headspace and thoughts at the time are unknown but I can wholeheartedly say he would not have gone into that house to steal or hurt anyone,” a close friend from his hometown of Dubbo told 9 News today. “Rather, he (was) just confused of his whereabouts.”