Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death of a man in Maffra in Victoria’s east yesterday.

Emergency services responded to a call that a man was found unresponsive at a property on Mills Street around midday.

The man, 63-year-old Maffra jeweller Steve Curtis, could not be revived.

A police car parked outside a house with police tape along the front white picket fence.
Emergency services have cordoned off the property in Maffra. (ABC News: Lily Kristanto)

Police say they are searching for a 45-year-old Maffra man who lived at the address with Mr Curtis, but left before emergency services arrived.

Police have established a crime scene at the address, and the investigation is ongoing.

Detectives remained at the scene today, with the property cordoned off by police tape.

The death remains an “active investigation”, according to local authorities.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.

A dedicated jeweller
Maffra Showcase Jewellers owner Tash Smith said she was “still in shock” after learning of Mr Curtis’s death yesterday afternoon.

A woman wearing green standing in a jewelry store
Tash Smith says Mr Curtis was dedicated to his craft. (ABC News: Lily Kristanto)

Ms Smith purchased her business from Mr Curtis and said he continued to do jewellery work for her.

She said Mr Curtis worked at the business for 30 years and had been supportive when she took over the business.

“Generations had been using him as their jewellery maker,” Ms Smith said.

Ms Smith paid tribute to him as an excellent jeweller who was “100 per cent” dedicated to his craftsmanship and to satisfying his customers.

“He did his job because he loved it,” she said.