Investigators from Camden Police Area Command will have the final say on whether or not the South African-born finance worker faces charges. The Herald understands investigators there have sought guidance from the state crime command's homicide squad, whose advice is not to charge Mr Schwartz unless there is an unexpected autopsy result. Francois Schwartz had previously indicated that he had no sympathy for thieves who were caught in the act. Credit:Facebook Detective Chief Inspector Shane Woolbank on Sunday said "generally people are entitled to their home and they're entitled to use reasonable force to protect themselves and their property". Mr Schwartz was questioned by detectives, but released without charge on Sunday night. Two weeks ago, a Reddit account linked to him posted that he had "no sympathy" for thieves on a video of a would-be mobile phone thief being punched by the people he sought to rob.

"If he is committed to crime, he will next time bring a gun and target someone more vulnerable like an 80-year-old," the Reddit comment, made on February 3, states. "No sympathy. The person on the receiving end of his crime could also be poor, and worked hard at an honest job to buy that phone. What does his theft do to that honest person?", read the since-deleted comments. Brad Soper, a personal trainer, died on Sunday morning. Investigators believe Mr Soper, who worked at the XXX Fighting Academy gym at Smeaton Grange, ran to the Harrington Park house from at least as far as neighbouring suburb Oran Park. One resident, who did not want to be named, said the incident had left neighbours of the quiet cul-de-sac shaken. "It was crazy, I still can't believe it," she said.

Loading "Nobody expects things like that to happen on their own street." Sources say that Mr Soper was known to police through his associates, but did not have a criminal record. He is believed to have been a user of both cocaine and steroids. Former NRL player Joe Williams knew Mr Soper in Dubbo where they played rugby league together and Mr Williams boxed at the gym owned by Mr Soper. "I was like holy shit, that's not the man I knew at all," Mr Williams said.

"It's just a really, really unfortunate circumstance. Brad lost his life, which is horrendous. But also, there's the people whose home was invaded. It's traumatic for them as well." Bradley Soper was killed after he broke into a home and got into an altercation with the occupant, Francois Schwartz. Credit:Instagram Other friends of Mr Soper have taken to social media to pay tribute to the trainer. "I am genuinely so saddened by this news. Brad Soper, you were a solid 10/10 human. Thank you for the laughs. I hope that you are somehow in a better place, just being a legend like always. Rest In Peace," wrote Alex Smith.