It was the first time they had been in custody, the court was told, but they now stand charged with the murder of a former elite policeman in Melbourne.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
David Grierson, 45, of Braeside, and Craig Marshall, 47, of Rosebud, were arrested on Friday and charged with the murder of retired Special Operations Group officer Dean McGrath at an industrial premises on Wednesday.
Mr Grierson and Mr Marshall made no application for bail in the short filing hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court, with their lawyers telling magistrate Alan Spillane it was their first time in custody.
Both were remanded to appear before the court again on May 23.
Some of Mr McGrath's family, including his parents, were in court. His mother told reporters outside court her son was "a beautiful boy".
The 41-year-old former senior constable and married father of two had left the force in 2010 with post-traumatic stress disorder.
His body was found inside a plumbing business at an industrial estate on Governor Road at Braeside, in Melbourne's outer south-east, before 10am on Friday. Corporate records show Mr Grierson is the owner of the business.
Police said Mr McGrath's body was found after one of the men charged over the death had handed himself in at the Mordialloc Police Station earlier that day.
Mr McGrath's family had feared he had been seriously injured or killed after he went missing on Wednesday night.
People working at neighbouring businesses said the family had been searching for Mr McGrath at the premises on Thursday.
They said the family had told them he had called his wife at 6pm on Wednesday, telling her he was stopping at the industrial estate and would be home in 20 minutes.
Earlier reports that he had been shot are believed to be incorrect.
One of Mr McGrath's former colleagues said he was a talented boxer, excellent athlete and devoted father.
"He was softly spoken, modest, and a really, really good athlete. I just remember him as a good kid," he said.
Roy Corteste, paid tribute to his childhood friend on Facebook.
"RIP Deano watched you grow up in to [a] fine young man," he posted.
"Cherish the memories countless sparring sessions ... condolences to the McGrath family."
Another friend, Scott Bindloss, remembered Mr McGrath as a talented boxer.
"Condolences to the McGrath family on their loss," he posted on Facebook.
"Dean was a much loved boxer from the old Chelsea days. RIP."
