Man charged over designer’s death in arson

A man has been charged with the murder of Melbourne interior designer Stuart Rattle in a unit fire in South Yarra early on Monday morning.

Michael O'Neill was interviewed by the Homicide Squad this morning and was charged with murder.

The 47-year-old Prahan man faced an out of sessions hearing on Thursday and has been remanded to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court later on Thursday.

Mr Rattle's body was found after firefighters gained entry to the flat in a two-storey apartment block on Malvern Road in the early hours of Monday morning.

Detectives determined the fire was suspicious and arrested O'Neill on Wednesday night.

The 53-year-old Mr Rattle, who also had a home in Daylesford, has been remembered as talented and generous man who created "value and beauty in society".

Mr Rattle was well-known in the Daylesford area for the beautiful English gardens of his 35-hectare property, Musk Farm.

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Man charged over designer's death in arson