Deadly Assault in Hervey Bay: 57-Year-Old Charged with Murder as Victim Dies from Brutal Beating with Baton or Pole
- A 40-year-old man has died after being brutally assaulted with a baton or pole in a shocking incident in Hervey Bay, Queensland.
- A 57-year-old man has been charged with murder and refused police bail, set to appear in court on Friday.
- Police are still searching for the murder weapon and are appealing to the public for dash cam or CCTV footage to help piece together the events leading to the assault.
In a devastating turn of events, a 40-year-old man has lost his life after being brutally assaulted in a Hervey Bay home. The alleged attack, which took place on Thursday afternoon, has left the community reeling in shock.
According to Wide Bay Burnett Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield, police were called to a home on Torquay Tce in the suburb of Torquay after reports of a disturbance between a group of people. Upon arrival, officers found the 40-year-old man conscious but in critical condition. Despite desperate efforts to save him, the victim tragically passed away at the scene.
“Unfortunately and tragically, that 40-year-old male passed away at the scene whilst being treated by QAS,” Detective Inspector Mansfield said. “The victim sustained one-force injuries consistent with physical assault, caused by a weapon.”
Police believe the murder weapon was a baton or a piece of pole, but it has not yet been recovered. “It’s not an edged weapon and it’s not a firearm, we believe it was some sort of baton or a piece of pole or something similar,” Detective Inspector Mansfield explained.
The alleged assault took place at a property on Fraser St, just around the corner from where the victim was found. The 57-year-old accused was living in a nearby dwelling and was not previously known to the victim. “There were a number of people present at the time, some of whom were known to each other, but the accused and victim are not,” Detective Inspector Mansfield said.
Police have declared three crime scenes – one at the Fraser St property, one at the Torquay Tce property, and the ambulance, which was also declared a crime scene. Forensic teams from Brisbane are assisting in the ongoing investigations.
The motive behind the attack is still unclear, and police are urging anyone with information or relevant footage to come forward. “We’re still working towards what the motivation aspect was with respect to this investigation,” Detective Inspector Mansfield said.
The 57-year-old accused has been charged with one count of murder and refused police bail. He is set to appear at Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Friday.