Friends of a personal trainer who died after a physical altercation with the resident of a home he had broken into on Sunday morning say they were shocked to hear the circumstances of his death, and say his apparent actions were "well out of character".

Bradley Soper, 34, lost consciousness during a confrontation with 44-year-old Harrington Park resident Francois Schwartz, who discovered Mr Soper in the living room of his house at 7.30am.

Attempts by Mr Schwartz's neighbours and paramedics to revive Mr Soper were unsuccessful.

Police established a crime scene and continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.