Queensland Police have revealed the identity of the elderly man who was killed on a Sunshine Coast beach boardwalk last weekend alongside new security camera footage in an appeal for witnesses.
John Kerr, 87, was found at about 6am on Sunday morning with severe facial injuries on a boardwalk path on Hastings Street in Noosa Heads after what is being described as a random attack.
No charges have yet been laid over Mr Kerr’s death but a 27-year-old Gympie man was arrested and taken into custody about 100m from the scene on the same day. In a separate incident, the same man has been charged with a serious assault on a 69-year-old man which was reported to police on Monday morning. He still remains a person of interest in Mr Kerr’s death.
On Wednesday, police investigators released security camera footage that showed potential witnesses of the assault they have yet to speak with. The footage showed a man walking on a pathway near the crime scene and the occupants of three cars in the area.
The vehicles are a white Toyota hatchback, a green Holden hatchback, and a dark-coloured sedan which were being driven along Hastings Street before the incident.
Detective Senior Sergeant, Craig Mansfield, told the media that police want these people to come forward but stressed they are not believed to be involved in the attacks and may have been tourists who have since left the region.
“We want to make sure we have the full picture for completeness,” Senior Sgt Mansfield said.
Mr Kerr has been remembered as a family man who loved spoiling his nine grandchildren and a keen golfer.
“Being a tight-knit, close community, this was a well-loved member of our community. So the ripples will be very deep,” Noosa Mayor, Clare Stewart, said.
Noosa Golf Club General Manager, Allan Harris, said the community was “in shock” after the news of Mr Kerr’s death.
“John was a long-term member, he’s been here for about 28 years,” Harris said.
“He was a very much-liked member so he’s going to be missed.”
