Rockefeller accused in court

Herman Rockefeller. Photo / Supplied

MELBOURNE - Two people alleged to have murdered Melbourne multi-millionaire Herman Rockefeller have briefly appeared in court.

The body of the 52-year-old property investor was found in a junk-strewn suburban backyard in Melbourne's northwest, eight days after he was reported missing on January 21.

It has been claimed Rockefeller was using erotic websites to find partners in Melbourne's swingers network.

Police have charged Mario Schembri, 57, of Wallan, and Bernadette Denny, 41, of Hadfield, with murdering Rockefeller at Denny's home.

The pair briefly appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday where a security guard sat between them.

Prosecutors applied for an adjournment so more forensic material relating to the case could be obtained.

Schembri, of Wallan, and Denny, of Hadfield, exchanged a brief smile in the dock before their case was adjourned. Magistrate Donna Bakos remanded the pair in custody and adjourned the case for a further committal mention on June 24.

Rockefeller had close links to New Zealand. He was chief financial officer for Brierley Investments from 1992 to 2000 and a friend of Prime Minister John Key.

- AAP