National

Fatal bashing suspect charged over another assault

By AAP Newswire

Jun 19, 2023

John Kerr (file image) — John Kerr was fatally assaulted while on a morning walk on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. -PR Handout Image

A man in police custody over a fatal bashing in the Queensland holiday town of Noosa Heads has been charged over another assault which occurred around the same time.

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The 27-year-old has been charged with the serious assault of a 69-year-old man as police investigate the death of John Kerr, who was assaulted while on a morning walk.

Emergency crews found the 87-year-old unconscious with head injuries on a beachfront path at the northern end of Hastings Street on the tourist strip about 6am on Sunday.

Bystanders tried to help before paramedics arrived, but Mr Kerr died at the scene.

The 27-year-old was taken into custody about 100m away and a crime scene was declared.

Police said the second assault occurred in Hastings Street around the same time.

It is believed the second assaulted man was not known to Mr Kerr and police are investigating links between the assaults.

Officers want to hear from anyone who saw a man in various stages of undress or naked anywhere near Hastings Street or walking into the Noosa Woods pathways between 5am and 7am on Sunday.

Mr Kerr's family released a photo of him in the hope it would encourage more witnesses to come forward.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press