Mystery Shrouds the Death of Australian Mining Executive in Peru

The death of Australian mining executive, Jeff Hunter, 54, continues to be shrouded in mystery.

Hunter was found dead at his 12th floor apartment in Miraflores, a district in Peru's capital Lima, last Tuesday. He was reported to have  spent the previous night with three women.

However, the women left the place before his body was found. Police had also found cocaine and marijuana near his body.

According to the police, a plastic bag covered his head and drugs were found near the body. The bag was attached to a tube and connected to a helium tank, reports The Sydney Morning  Herald .

Police believe that Hunter, who was a safety and environment manager at the South American company Stracon GyM, died of asphyxiation.

Though police initially ruled Hunter's death as a suicide , now it is being investigated as a homicide and authorites are looking to question the women who spent the night with him.

According to local media, Hunter's body was found by his housekeeper.  As hunter did not open the door, the housekeeper had to bring a locksmith.

Initially, people thought that it was a case of robbery as Hunter's mobile phone and laptop were missing, His safe also was left open, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

Hunter has worked previously with many North Queensland mines like Century, Cannington and Mount Carlton. He also had experience working in the mining industry of Jamaica, Indonesia, Lao, Ghana, Mali and China.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that the Australian Embassy in Lima was giving consular assistance to Hunter's family.

According to his former co-workers, Hunter left Australia in mysterious circumstances  in 2012 saying that he was being followed by a Japanese mafia., reports ukdaily.net.