A nude man was spotted acting random in a popular tourist town hours before an elderly man was allegedly fatally attacked during his early morning walk.
Police launched a murder investigation after John Kerr, 87, was found unconscious on the tourist strip of Noosa Heads on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast about 6am on Sunday.
Onlookers saw Noosa’s local face-up on a concrete path in Hastings Street with severe facial injuries. He died shortly after emergency personnel were called to the scene.
Rio J Annan – who was not known to Mr Kerr – was taken into custody after he was found 100 meters away on a Noosa beach.
The 27-year-old from Gympie spent the night in custody to assist detectives with their inquiries after he was charged in a separate incident – at the same time a 69-year-old man was charged with aggravated assault in Hastings Street.
John Kerr (pictured) died in Noosa Heads on Hasting Street in the early hours of Sunday morning. assignment freelance picture Detectives are appealing for anyone who saw him in the area near Hastings Street or en route to the beach at Noosa Woods, between 5am and 7am on June 18 to contact them.
Pictured: Police tape the crime scene at Noosa Heads on Sunday
Now, witnesses have described in detail how they saw a naked man acting strangely in the street away from the crime scene.
A local, who lives about 200 meters away on Noosa Parade, said he called the police at around 3.30am after a naked youth started banging on his door.
‘He kept knocking on the door until the police came and said they recognized him and took him back to Noosa station,’ he wrote online.
The resident said police told him the man’s brother would pick him up when he took him to the station.
After learning of Mr Kerr’s death, the resident said he contacted the police.
Queensland police would not confirm to Daily Mail Australia on Monday whether detectives were investigating whether the matter was related.
However, police issued a statement saying detectives are asking anyone who may have seen a naked man in the area to contact police.
“Police are appealing for anyone who saw a naked or undressed person anywhere near the north end of Hastings Street or walking along Noosa Woods between 5am and 7am yesterday to contact them,” the statement said. said
There are pictures of police and detectives at the scene Sunday
Parts of the beach were taped off after 27-year-old Kiyo Annan was arrested
The disturbing details came after witness Carolyn Clarke said she saw a naked man arrested on the beach and led into a paddy wagon.
He arrived at the scene just 10 minutes after Mr Kerr was assaulted.
‘A friend of mine was doing CPR, she’s a nurse. They just stumbled upon him, he was lying on the ground,’ Ms Clarke said.
Police believe the second man who was assaulted was not known to Mr Kerr.
Annan did not appear in Maroochydore Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning as his matter was heard.
His lawyer Michael Robinson did not apply for bail for Annan, who was not required to appear, and the matter was adjourned until next month.
Court documents obtained by the Courier Mail reveal police will allege Annan, whose occupation was listed as ‘vagrant’, seriously assaulted the 69-year-old on the corner of Claude Batten Drive and Hastings Street.
Meanwhile, a crime scene has been established around the north end of the main beach with an area restricted to the public.
Sunshine Coast Detective Inspector Chris Toohey said police had launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
He said: ‘It is alarming for a man out for a walk on a Sunday morning to have sustained these injuries and tragically died.’
Homicide detectives have been called in to investigate and anyone with information is urged to contact police
Mr Kerr’s family have released his photo to the public in the hope it will encourage more witnesses to come forward.
The 87-year-old has been remembered as a ‘well-respected’ golf enthusiast, who was a member of the local club for 28 years.
Noosa Golf Club general manager Alan Harris said members were still coming to terms with the shocking news.
‘We are all struggling with the whole thing,’ he told the Courier Mail.
‘Due to his long stay here, he was well-liked, well-respected and an active member.’
Annan’s matter is scheduled for hearing in court on July 24.
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