Innisfail murder case: New photos of scene revealed by Fitzgerald Esplanade resident

An Innisfail resident with an exclusive view of the alleged saw murder scene has released his photos, while praising the alleged offender’s background.

AN INNISFAIL Fitzgerald Esplanade resident who lives in a high-rise apartment complex overlooking the scene of an alleged saw murder is still coming to terms with the allegations.

Herb Layt who lives in the Rivergrande Apartments on Fitzgerald Esplanade had a bird’s-eye view as emergency services carried out their duties in relation to the discovery of a 66-year-old’s deceased body on the street below.

Mr Layt, a retired travel and real estate agent has lived in town since 1966 and said he hadn’t heard of an incident like the alleged saw murder since before his time in Innisfail.

“It’s just not Innisfail,” Mr Layt said.

Innisfail resident Herb Layt had a bird's-eye view of the Fitzgerald Esplanade crime scene below his apartment. Picture: Arun Singh Mann

Mr Layt who takes in the morning view each day from his Esplanade-facing balcony said about 7am, Saturday he realised “something isn’t right here.”

“You usually see these things (emergency services) and think it’s an accident or something and just go about your day.

“But then more (police) cars came, so I started taking photos.

“Then I could vaguely see something lying on the ground on a reddish-type sheet and something was covering it. I then realised ‘gee, this might be something serious’.”

Mr Layt said during the day, the rumours were running rampant throughout Innisfail and he was struggling to believe a man had died.

The apartment complex at Fitzgerald Esplanade, where resident Herb Layt could see the crime scene from.

But on Sunday, Detective Acting Inspector Gary Hunter confirmed that’s exactly what had happened and stated police had charged local banana farm worker John Yalu, with murder.

“Speaking to people up town, they really can’t believe it.

“And it really defies belief too. When you think about … it’s incredible.”

Police allege the 66-year-old deceased man offered Mr Yalu $5000 to cut his leg off, however they were yet to confirm the reasoning.

Mr Layt said he received another shock on Monday when he heard that Mr Yalu, a Vanuatu national, was the one facing a murder charge.

“I couldn’t believe it, they come here to work and they’re very good workers.

“I go to the Anglican Church here, and we have half our congregation, (who) are Vanuatu people. Just lovely people, God-fearing people.”

John Yalu, 36, was charged with murder following the suspicious death of an Innisfail man.

The Anglican Church Mr Layt was referring to is located metres from where Mr Yalu was residing at the Innisfail Accommodation Hub on Rankin St.

Although Mr Yalu did not appear himself, his matter was mentioned at the Innisfail Magistrates Court on Monday where Magistrate Megan Power adjourned the case for another mention on June 6.

She ordered Mr Yalu be remanded in custody, although no application for bail was made.

Originally published as Innisfail murder case: New photos of scene revealed by Fitzgerald Esplanade resident