Detectives say a man arrested over the death of a woman in north Queensland had been in a relationship with the victim for several months.
Key points:
Police say there were no domestic violence orders in place between the pair
Autopsy results are set to be released tomorrow
Authorities say the man was arrested at a service station in Proserpine
Mother of four Tania Trickey, 44, was killed at Bluewater, near Townsville, some time on Saturday morning.
A group of teenagers riding quad bikes discovered the body on a sandy track in bushland that afternoon.
Police arrested a 38-year-old Deeragun man at a service station in Proserpine around 8:30pm on Sunday after his car was spotted by patrolling officers.
“Police were basically able to take him by surprise,” Detective Inspector Jason Shepherd said.
Police have seized the man’s vehicle, which will be subject to forensic examination.
“We hope to obviously find evidence that will link our person of interest and the vehicle to the crime scene [at Bluewater],” Detective Inspector Shepherd said.
Pair allegedly drove to remote area together
Police believe the woman died on Saturday.(ABC News: Lily Nothling)
Police said the man and Ms Trickey had been in a relationship for a few months.
The pair allegedly drove to the remote area at Bluewater together on Saturday where the woman was later found dead.
Detective Inspector Shepherd said they were able to identify the man after his vehicle was captured on dash-cam footage near the scene.
“If he’s charged, it would be linked to what we call a domestic violence offence,” he said.
‘But at this stage there was no current domestic and family violence orders between the person of interest and the victim and police had never attended any domestic and family violence incidents between the victim and the person of interest,’ he said.
Police would not confirm how Ms Trickey died but said an autopsy would be carried out on Tuesday.
Detective Inspector Shepherd said both she and the person of interest were known to police.
The man remains in custody in Mackay, where he will be questioned by detectives.
Two people died in a horror three-vehicle crash in regional Queensland on Friday.
Queensland Police say a man and woman were traveling north on the Bruce Highway in Wunjunga, about 22km south of Home Hill, when a truck traveling in the opposite direction collided with their vehicle about 11.30am.
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The incident subsequently caused a third vehicle to crash.
The driver of the initial vehicle, a 67-year-old Hervey Bay man, died from his injuries at the scene.
His 62-year-old passenger was airlifted to Townsville University Hospital in a critical condition, but later died from his injuries.
The 67-year-old driver of the car died from his injuries at this scene and his 62-year-old female passenger later died in hospital. Credit: 7NEWSPolice at the scene of the Wunjunga fatal crash. Credit: 7NEWS
The truck driver, a 61-year-old Deeragun woman, and the 36-year-old male driver of the third vehicle managed to escape the ordeal uninjured.
“It’s a very horrific scene,” Queensland Police senior sergeant Craig Shepherd told 7NEWS.
Forensic police are investigating the circumstances of the crash.
Anyone with information or dashcam vision of the area at the time of the crash is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
Broncos coach and Kevin Walters have pleaded for the NRL to increase its mental health support in the wake of the shock death of Paul Green.
The representative halfback and legendary Cowboys coach died at his Brisbane home on Thursday, leaving the entire rugby league community in mourning.
Queensland police issued a statement after Green’s death and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.
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“Police were called to a Wynnum residence just after 10am this morning after a 49-year-old was located unresponsive,” a Queensland police spokeswoman said.
“He was declared deceased by emergency crews a short time later.”
Walters, who were Queensland teammates, reflected on his 30-year relationship with the premiership-winning coach and called on the NRL to do more to support players, coaches and support staff.
“It’s very sad news,” Walters said on Friday morning.
“I was fortunate enough to play Origin football with ‘Greeny’ and had many battles against him during his days at the Sharks and Cowboys.
My feelings go out to his family, friends and everyone involved with Paul. It’s just so sad.
“It’s important we check on each other each day – particularly with the mental health side of things.
“It’s something I believe the NRL needs to put more focus on, particularly around our players, coaches and support staff. Everyone that’s involved in the game.
“We need to make sure there’s someone there for you if you want to reach out.”
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys earlier delivered a heartfelt plea to the NRL world in the wake of Green’s death.
Some of the 49-year-old former teammates took the opportunity to share anecdotes, which spoke to his character — both on and off the field.
V’landys did similar in paying tribute to Green on 2GB Radiuson Friday morning but also wanted to send a strong message in the wake of the tragedy.
“[It is] extremely sad. We were devastated yesterday when we heard the news,” V’landys said.
“It just shows you how fragile life is and that we should take care of each other. If there’s a message here is if people self-doubt themselves or have problems, it is normal human reaction. Speak about it, talk about it.
Fletch lauds Green’s Roosters influence | 03:04
“We all go through doubting ourselves, we all go through some terrible times but it doesn’t hurt to talk to somebody about it and this is a classic example. If anything comes out of this, which is one of the saddest things I’ve been involved in rugby league, it is that people do reach out if they have troubles.”
V’landys described Green as a “champion” on and off the field, with a “heart bigger than himself”.
“Paul was a very intelligent person, always passionate, witty, happy-go-lucky and he was the last person in the world you would expect to have these troubles,” he said.
“But as I said, we all go through this, we all have self-doubt. Look, I remember Paul as a player, he was a brilliant player and he was a great coach. Who could forget the 2015 premiership that he won and took them again to the semi-finals in 2017.
“He was a champion in his field. He was short in stature but had a heart bigger than himself and was able to go to the elite level of the game. But just as important, he was a great father and a husband, we are just in complete and utter shock.”
‘He just wanted to help people’ – Tallis | 01:35
V’landys urged the rugby league community to get behind the Gotcha4Life charity to honor Green’s memory while also encouraging anyone who is struggling to speak up.
“I think you’d be lying if you didn’t say that at times you feel down and have self-doubt because you do and I do,” he said.
“People think that I’m as strong as a wall but at times you’re human and doubt yourself, you lack self-esteem and confidence. We all go through that. But I talk about it to people.
“I’m not embarrassed to talk about it. When you’re feeling down, you have to let those emotions out. It can happen to anyone. Don’t be proud because you have people who love you and should reach out.
“I think we need to support Gotcha4Life… that will go well for the memory of Paul Green.”
Four young children may be at “significant risk” after a man abducted them from a Queensland property on Thursday morning.
Queensland Police said the children – aged 8, 7, 4 and 3 – were taken from a property at The Leap, north of Mackay, about 11.30am.
“All of the children are described as being Caucasian in appearance with a slim build and brown hair,” police said in a statement.
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An amber alert has been issued asking members of the public to help locate the youngsters.
The children – aged three, four, seven and eight years old – were taken by a man from a property at The Leap. Credit: QLD Police
A man, with identifiable Batman ‘joker’ themed facial tattoos, was seen taking the children from a Maraju Yakapari Road address in a white 2005 Nissan Patrol 4WD with the Queensland Registration 063BC9.
The car was last seen heading toward Bruce Highway.
Police said the alleged offender is described as Caucasian, solid build, approximately 175cm tall with a shaven head and full bushy beard.
Police said the man seen taking the children, pictured, has identifiable facial tattoos. Credit: QLD PoliceThe man was seen driving toward Bruce Highway in a white 2005 Nissan Patrol 4WD. Credit: QLD Police
Anyone with information about the abduction is asked to call 131 564.
Those with life-threatening information about the incident should contact triple-0.
CCTV captures father using pram and pants to steal from shop.
CCTV captures father using pram and pants to steal from shop.
Police have shut down a large drug operation in southern Queensland, seizing what they allege is almost $40 million worth of cannabis.
Key points:
Seven men have been charged with drug offenses
More than 15,000 cannabis plants were seized from the former cattle property
The drugs had an estimated street value of $40 million
Queensland Police arrested seven men, aged between 35 and 46 after raiding a rural property at Boondooma, about 330 kilometers north-west of Brisbane.
Police said when they arrived at the former cattle station around 6am on August 5, they found several large greenhouses, measuring about 130 meters by 60 meters.
Officers allegedly seized more than 15,000 cannabis plants and 50 kilograms of dried cannabis, as well as generators and hydroponic equipment.
Police said the cannabis seized had a street value of about $39.9 million.
The seven men have been charged with producing and possessing a dangerous drug.
$39.9 million worth of cannabis was found and destroyed by police.(Supplied: Queensland Police Service)
Ninh Van Nguyen, 43, Minh Van Troung, 41, Van Tuan Dang, 46, The Dung Le, 42, Van Tuan Ngo, 40, Tony Anh Cao, 36, and Hieu Huu Nguyen, 35, appeared in the Murgon Magistrates Court on Saturday.
They were remanded in custody with the case adjourned for mention in the same court on August 16.
The raid was the result of an arrest in July, when 200 kilograms of cannabis was allegedly seized from a car that was stopped on the Warrego Highway at Helidon.
It is alleged the cannabis had come from the property at Boondooma.
Police have destroyed the cannabis plants seized and dismantled the hydroponic equipment found at the site.
The man accused of murder after mass shooting in rural Queensland has been revealed to be local farmer Darryl Young.
The 59-year-old has been charged with murdering his neighbours, Mervyn Schwarz, 71, his wife Maree, 59, and her son Graham Tighe, 35.
The neighbors had a long-running dispute about boundary lines at their properties, in the rural town of Bogie, police say.
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It is alleged that Young invited his neighbors to meet him at the edge of his Shannonvale Road property on Thursday.
Young is accused of then shooting the couple, and Maree’s sons Graham and Ross Tighe, ‘execution-style’ with a rifle.
Darryl Young has been identified as the accused murderer. Credit: 7NEWSMaree and Mervyn Schwarz. Credit: Supplied
Ross, who was shot in the stomach, miraculously survived the shooting, and managed to escape in a ute and call for help.
Ross was able to escape in a ute and call for help. Credit: 7NEWS
He remains in Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition.
Graham’s brother Ross survived and was able to flee into remote bushland with a gunshot wound to his stomach. Credit: 7NEWS
On Friday, Young was charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
He is due to appear in the Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday.
Acting Superintendent Tom Armitt said the property where the shooting allegedly took place was “tens of thousands of acres”.
“It’s actually a 45-minute drive between the neighbours,” he said.
“At the crime scene, which is at the front gate of one of the premises, it is a 3km drive between the gate and the house at that location.”
The shooting occurred at the gate of Young’s rural property. Credit: 7NEWS
Armitt said because Ross had been so far from the crime scene, and it was unclear whether the alleged gunman was still at large, police were cautious in their approach to the property.
“At that time, not knowing whether the armed offender was present or not, putting their lives in grave danger, especially when the report was that the people had been shot with a rifle,” Armitt said.
“So that was slow and meticulous work and extremely brave of the officers who were involved at that time.”
The charges come as new tragic details emerge that Graham’s partner Lucy had only recently given birth to their second child.
Graham’s partner Lucy had given birth to their second child just weeks before. Credit: 7NEWS
Graham’s uncle, Greg Austen, told 7NEWS the father had only spent a few days with the newborn before the baby was taken to Brisbane to visit Lucy’s mother.
“It’s just devastating shock that things can happen so quickly in the blink of an eye and ruin so many lives so quickly,” he said.
Lucy had been stuck in Brisbane, as she was unable to fly on commercial airlines weeks after giving birth.
On Friday, the charity Angel Flight arranged a charter for Lucy and her two young children to fly home to north Queensland.
Horrific footage of crowd falling as railing collapses
Horrific footage of crowd falling as railing collapses
The youngest victim of an alleged triple murder was the father of a newborn baby boy.
Graham Tighe, 35, was one of three people allegedly fatally shot at a property in the central Queensland town of Bogie on Thursday.
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As details of the circumstances surrounding the alleged shooting continue to emerge, The Courier-Mail reports Tighe leaves behind a three-week-old son.
It reports that he only got to spend a few days with the child before his death.
Tighe, his mother Maree Schwarz, 59, and her husband Merv, 71, all died at the scene. Graham’s brother Ross survived and raised the alarm.
A 59-year-old neighbor has been arrested and charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, and will face court Monday.
Graham’s partner Lucy had given birth to their second child just weeks before. Credit: 7NEWS
7NEWS understands police will allege that the gunman invited them to meet up at his property amid a dispute over a boundary line.
The 59-year-old man – who was also charged with one count of attempted murder – will appear in Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday.
The charges come as new tragic details emerge that Graham’s partner Lucy had only recently given birth.
Graham’s uncle, Greg Austen, told 7NEWS the father had only spent a few days with the newborn before the baby was taken to Brisbane to visit Lucy’s mother.
“It’s just devastating shock that things can happen so quickly in the blink of an eye and ruin so many lives so quickly,” he said.
Maree and Mervyn Schwarz. Credit: Supplied
7NEWS understands police will allege the farming family was invited to meet with their neighbor at the edge of his Bogie property, 45 minutes away.
Acting Superintendent Tom Armitt said the property where the shooting allegedly took place was “tens of thousands of acres”.
“It’s actually a 45-minute drive between the neighbours,” he said.
“At the crime scene, which is at the front gate of one of the premises, it is a 3km drive between the gate and the house at that location.”
Armitt said because Ross had been so far from the crime scene, and it was unclear whether the alleged gunman was still at large, police were cautious in their approach to the property.
“At that time, not knowing whether the armed offender was present or not, putting their lives in grave danger, especially when the report was that the people had been shot with a rifle,” Armitt said.
“So that was slow and meticulous work and extremely brave of the officers who were involved at that time.”
The surviving man was airlifted to Mackay Base Hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition. Credit: 7NEWS
Ross was initially in a critical condition but since undergoing multiple emergency surgeries is now reported as serious but stable.
“He was able to speak to us overnight and provide us details of what occurred at the incident yesterday morning,” Armitt said.
“And detectives will be speaking to him again this morning.”
Community in shock
Merv and Maree are being remembered as a “lovely, hardworking” family as loved ones try to make sense of the tragedy.
“We’re lucky we still have Ross with us,” Austen told 7NEWS.
“To see the trauma that would have unfolded in front of him and then be able to go that far to raise the alarm, it’s a mighty effort.”
Graham leaves behind two young children, with partner Lucy stuck in Brisbane, unable to fly on commercial airlines as she gave birth a few weeks ago.
7NEWS understands after desperate efforts from family and friends, a charity will put Lucy and her children on a charter flight home.
Graham’s brother Ross survived and was able to flee into remote bushland with a gunshot wound to his stomach. Credit: 7NEWS
Whitsunday Regional councilor Jan Clifford said the tight-knit community would be devastated.
“To my knowledge, nothing like this has ever happened in the Whitsunday region before,” Clifford said.
“We are all deeply saddened by the tragedy.”
Clifford said the incident was bound to have a big effect on the tiny community of Bogie, which has a population of 207 according to the latest census data.
“It’s a little village. Everyone will know everyone… It’s just awful.”
One woman working in nearby Collinsville said the entire community was in shock.
“The whole town is a bit rattled that something like that could happen here,” she told AAP.
A 59-year-old man has been charged with three counts of murder relating to the mass shooting on a rural property near the central Queensland town of Bogie on Thursday.
Police will allege that around 9am, they received a report three people had been fatally shot at a property on Shannonvale Road and another man had suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Watch more on this story in the video above
Watch the latest News on Channel 7 or stream for free on 7plus >>
A 35-year-old Bogie man, Graham Tighe, his mother Maree Schwarz, 59, and her husband Merv, 71, all died at the scene.
Graham’s brother, Ross Tighe, survived and was able to flee into remote bushland with a gunshot wound to his stomach before raising the alarm.
7NEWS understands police will alleged that the gunman invited them to meet up at his property amid a dispute over a boundary line.
The 59-year-old man – who was also charged with one count of attempted murder – will appear in Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday.
The charges come as new tragic details emerge that Graham’s partner Lucy had only recently given birth.
Graham’s uncle, Greg Austen, told 7NEWS the father had only spent a few days with the newborn before the baby was taken to Brisbane to visit Lucy’s mother.
“It’s just devastating shock that things can happen so quickly in the blink of an eye and ruin so many lives so quickly,” he said.
Maree and Mervyn Schwarz. Credit: Supplied
7NEWS understands police will allege the farming family was invited to meet with their neighbor at the edge of his Bogie property, 45 minutes away.
Shortly after, Merv, Maree, Ross and Graham were dead.
Acting Superintendent Tom Armitt said the property where the shooting allegedly took place was “tens of thousands of acres”.
“It’s actually a 45-minute drive between the neighbours,” he said.
“At the crime scene, which is at the front gate of one of the premises, it is a 3km drive between the gate and the house at that location.”
Armitt said because Ross had been so far from the crime scene, and it was unclear whether the alleged gunman was still at large, police were cautious in their approach to the property.
“At that time, not knowing whether the armed offender was present or not, putting their lives in grave danger, especially when the report was that the people had been shot with a rifle,” Armitt said.
“So that was slow and meticulous work and extremely brave of the officers who were involved at that time.”
The surviving man was airlifted to Mackay Base Hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition. Credit: 7NEWSGraham’s brother Ross survived and was able to flee into remote bushland with a gunshot wound to his stomach. Credit: 7NEWS
Ross was initially in a critical condition but since undergoing multiple emergency surgeries is now reported as serious but stable.
“He was able to speak to us overnight and provide us details of what occurred at the incident yesterday morning,” Armitt said.
“And detectives will be speaking to him again this morning.”
Community in shock
Merv and Maree are being remembered as a “lovely, hardworking” family as loved ones try to make sense of the tragedy.
“We’re lucky we still have Ross with us,” Austen told 7NEWS.
“To see the trauma that would have unfolded in front of him and then be able to go that far to raise the alarm, it’s a mighty effort.”
Graham leaves behind two young children, with partner Lucy stuck in Brisbane, unable to fly on commercial airlines as she gave birth a few weeks ago.
7NEWS understands after desperate efforts from family and friends, a charity will put Lucy and her children on a charter flight home.
Graham’s partner Lucy had given birth to their second child just weeks before. Credit: 7NEWS
Whitsunday Regional councilor Jan Clifford said the tight-knit community would be devastated.
“To my knowledge, nothing like this has ever happened in the Whitsunday region before,” Clifford said.
“We are all deeply saddened by the tragedy.”
Clifford said the incident was bound to have a big effect on the tiny community of Bogie, which has a population of 207 according to the latest census data.
“It’s a little village. Everyone will know everyone… It’s just awful.”
One woman working in nearby Collinsville said the entire community was in shock.
“The whole town is a bit rattled that something like that could happen here,” she told AAP.
The use of spit hoods on young people is “completely unacceptable and should be outlawed,” Queensland’s Family and Child Commission (QFCC) says.
Key points:
Spit hoods have been used on 20 young people over the past seven years in Queensland
The Queensland Family and Child principal commissioner Luke Twyford says the practice should be outlawed
Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll says alternatives are being looked into
Principal Commissioner Luke Twyford says there are a range of alternatives to the fabric hoods, which are put over a detainee’s head to prevent spitting or biting.
Mr Twyford’s remarks on ABC Radio Brisbane follow revelations Queensland police have used spit hoods on 20 young people in Queensland watch houses since 2015.
Yesterday a budget estimates hearing was told that the hoods were in use up until about seven months ago and there had been eight instances of use in the state since 2019.
Greens MP Michael Berkman asked Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll how many times spit hoods had been used.
Michael Berkman asked about the use of spit hoods in Queensland.(AAP: Glenn Hunt)
Ms Carroll acknowledged that Queensland was one of the few jurisdictions where the hoods were still in use.
“We are looking at very closely working with the Children’s Commissioner to stop that use in the future,” she said.
“We are working closely with the Children’s Commissioner to look at other options.”
When asked what steps the government was taking to ban the use of spit hoods and restraint chairs, Police Minister Mark Ryan said the government needed to get the policy mix right in order to work with the operational requirements of the Queensland police.
“Certainly it would be the government’s view that we would work alongside the Police Service to ensure that they had appropriate use of force options which did not include spit hoods,” he said.
Katarina Carroll says are working to put an end to the use of spit hoods. (ABC News: Lucas Hill)
Ms Carroll confirmed spit hoods could be used inside watch houses in Queensland.
‘Dangerous and archaic’
Mr Twyford said all of Australia’s children commissioners had already written an open letter calling for the practice to be banned.
“We are working with the Queensland Police Commissioner there to ensure that they are not used,” he said.
“When a young person is in a heightened state, putting a bag over their head isn’t a sensible solution.”
Change the Record co-chair Cheryl Axleby said the idea that it was acceptable to put a bag over the head of a distressed child or adult was “cruel” and “archaic”.
Cheryl Axelby says First Nations people are at higher risk of being subjected to spit hoods. (Supplied)
She said the organization had called on the Queensland government and every other state and territory government to follow the lead of South Australia, where spit hoods have been outlawed.
“First Nations peoples are affected by discrimination at every point of the criminal justice system,” Ms Axleby said.
“This means Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are at a greater risk of being subjected to the use of cruel and inhumane treatment like the use of spit hoods when in police or prison custody.
“In an era where we have world-class [personal protective equipment] there is absolutely no need for these dangerous and archaic devices.”
ABC’s Four Corners showed footage of a child detainee bound to a restraint chair with their face covered by a spit hood in the Northern Territory’s Don Dale detention center in 2016.
