TWO men have appeared in court charged with murder over the death of a man whose body was found in his home on his 90th birthday.

Adam Williamson, 39, and Jonathan Cooper, 28, appeared briefly in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday over the death of World War II veteran and great-grandfather Ken Handford, whose body was found in his home in Springbank, near Ballarat, on September 15.

Mr Williamson, of Sebastopol, and Mr Cooper, of Wendouree, were arrested on Tuesday morning and kept their heads down as they sat in the dock to shield their faces from court sketch artists.

Ken Handford was found dead on his 90th birthday.

Mr Williamson and Mr Cooper are also each charged with one count of aggravated burglary, police said.

The court was told Mr Williamson is withdrawing from methylamphetamine.

Their appearances in court came hours after the police bomb squad dismantled a suspicious device found on a Sebastopol property.

Detective Senior Sergeant Stuart Bailey said the bomb squad safely destroyed the device in the backyard.

Detective Sergeant Bailey described it as a "homemade improvised explosive device" but said there was no chance of it exploding.

Police have also released details of a car they are trying to find. It is a 1997 green and grey Subaru Outback station wagon with the number plates 1FH 8KE.

Mr Williamson and Mr Cooper were remanded in custody to appear before Ballarat Magistrates Court in January.

-with Adam Cooper, The Age

UPDATE

The bomb squad has dismantled a suspect device in a Sebastopol backyard.

Detective Senior Sergeant Stuart Bailey said the bomb squad safely destroyed the device in the backyard of the Edward Street house.

He described it as a “homemade improvised explosive device” but that there was no chance of it exploding.

Police robots were seen entering the Sebastopol premises.

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EARLIER

THE POLICE bomb response unit is currently en-route to a Sebastopol house in relation to the death of Springbank man Ken Handford.

The scene has been cordoned off after a “suspect device” was located.

A number of warrants were executed today. Police are on the scene.

Investigators have also released the registration details of a car seen in the area before Mr Handford’s death on September 15.

The 1997 green Subaru station wagon’s registration is 1FH 8KE. Police are appealing for anyone who saw the car or with information to come forward.

Two Ballarat men – a 38-year-old Sebastopol man and a 28-year-old Wendouree man – who were arrested earlier this morning are currently being questioned by police.

8AM

TWO Ballarat men have been arrested over the death of 90-year-old Springbank man Ken Handford.

A 38-year-old Sebastopol man and a 28-year-old Wendouree man were arrested at their home addresses around 7am on Tuesday.

The pair are currently assisting police with their enquiries, although charges are yet to be laid.

Mr Handford's body was found tied up in the bedroom of his home at Springbank, on what would have been his 90^th birthday. 

His body was discovered by his neighbours after they went to check on him when their birthday calls went unanswered.

His son, Peter, told The Courier he felt an enormous sense of relief to hear of the arrests.

“I’m trying to ring every family member at this moment,” he said.

“It’s just relief...there’s more to the story that I can’t divulge yet. I’m fairly emotional.” 

At a police media conference held on Sunday, it was revealed Handford was known for carrying large amounts of cash on him and that his war medals had been stolen.

Police believe he died between 12.30pm on September 13 and 1.30pm on September 15.

The two men have been taken to Melbourne for questioning.