Man Charged with Murder After Elderly Victim Found Burned at Rural Queensland Property
A 37-year-old man has been charged with murder following the alleged killing of a 70-year-old man whose body was discovered burned at a rural property in Far North Queensland. Police officers made the grim discovery during a welfare check at a residence on Stock Road in Dimbulah, approximately two hours west of Cairns, around 8 p.m. on March 24.
Confronting Scene Uncovered by Police
Detective Inspector Jason Chetham described the scene as confronting, revealing that upon arrival, officers encountered a fire burning on the property with what they believed to be human remains visible. "When police attended there on Tuesday, March 24, there was a fire burning on that property and police saw what they believe were human remains and they took immediate action to attempt to recover them and to extinguish that fire," Chetham stated. Police allege the victim was burned after he was killed, with the death occurring the night before, on March 23.
Altercation Leads to Fatal Incident
According to police, the death followed an altercation between the two men at the Stock Road home that evening. "What happened exactly during that altercation and what led to the 70-year-old man’s death is still part of an ongoing investigation," Detective Inspector Chetham explained. The pair, who were related through marriage, were both living at the rural property, and police allege they were the only occupants at the time.
Charges and Investigation Details
The accused man was taken into custody in Mareeba at about 2 p.m. on March 31 and transported to the Mareeba Watch House. He has been charged with:
- One count of murder
- One count of misconduct with a corpse by interfering
Both charges are classified as domestic violence offences. Chetham praised the extensive investigation, noting it involved intensive work over a week by officers and forensic teams. "It’s been an intensive, week-long investigation and we’re glad it’s come to this point in time," he said, also thanking the public for assisting with information appeals that were vital to the case.
Community Appeal and Court Proceedings
Despite the charges, police continue to appeal for information from the tight-knit Dimbulah community. "It’s a tight-knit community up there in Dimbulah, it’s only a small community," Chetham remarked. "If anyone has any information they think may be relevant to this, even though an arrest has been made, we certainly would welcome them to come forward." The 37-year-old has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in Mareeba Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
