A man found naked and acting erratically on a boat north of Perth has faced court for murder after human remains were found in a burnt-out car.
Benjamin Jack McLaughlin was arrested after he was found naked and erratic on a boat floating out to sea in Cervantes on Tuesday, September 26.
A red SUV was found submerged in the ocean nearby, having been driven off a jetty.
Hours earlier, police had found a man's charred remains in a burnt-out Mitsubishi Pajero on Indian Ocean Drive in Nambung. The victim was today identified as John Matta.
McLaughlin, 19, was initially only charged with casting away ships, assaulting a public officer, assaulting a person assisting a public officer, and obstructing public officers.
He faced court that day, on September 28, and was granted bail to face court again on November 16.
But McLaughlin faced court again today after police arrested him and charged him with murder, aggravated criminal damage by fire, and stealing a motor vehicle.
Police allege McLaughlin crashed his father's Mitsubishi Pajero on Indian Ocean Drive in Cervantes in the early hours of September 26.
Matta was driving a red SUV along Indian Ocean Drive when he allegedly came across McLaughlin and pulled over to help.
Police will allege an incident then occurred between McLaughlin and the 38-year-old deacon, which led to his murder.
Matta's car is the same model as the red SUV found floating in the ocean in Cervantes.
Friends today remembered Matta as a kind and generous man, who took on a final act of service.
"[He was] so down to earth and so humble and trying to help people whenever he can," George Gerges told 9News.
"It will be a hard loss to recover from for sure in our church community."
McLaughlin's appearance today in Perth Magistrates Court was brief. He was remanded in custody to appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on October 25.
- Reported with AAP.
