Body found in wheelie bin was 'artist who vanished in 2001'

A body found in a wheelie bin at a Melbourne storage facility has been identified as that of a graphic artist who went missing more than 17 years ago.

Workers discovered the remains of John Christianos, 40, on July 13 in Oakleigh South while they were cleaning out a storage unit.

He was last seen at a residential home in Bentleigh East in 2001.

Born in South Australia, Victoria Police say Christianos had been estranged from his family for some time before he disappeared.

An inquest in 2011 found he likely died on or after June 11, 2001.

However, the cause of death and the circumstances were unable to be determined.

There was no activity on his bank account, Centrelink account, Medicare account or car registration after he disappeared. 

Police have previously said he also left all his possessions at home and made no preparation to leave. 

"Even though it has been over 17 years since he was last seen, we believe that it is likely there are still people out there who know what happened to John," Missing Persons Squad Detective Inspector Andrew Stampe said in a statement released this morning.

"Clearly something significant has happened after John left his home for his body to be dumped in a bin and locked up for so many years."

Christianos was working as a graphic artist at the time of his disappearance.

Victoria Police said he was known to police across various states for a range of matters including drug use and assaults.

The storage company, which had been operating at the site for 15 years, was recently sold and cleaners were vacating the property when the body was found.

The cleaners opened one of the storage units and found a wheelie bin that was strapped shut. After removing the straps, the workers found it filled with straw or grass.

The cleaners then found a boot in the unit and noticed it was attached to a leg.

He would have turned 57 tomorrow.

Did you know John Christianos? Contact sedavidson@nine.com.au 

Anyone with information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.