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Grim discoveries spark fears among Gold Coast locals

The discovery of four bodies in five days in some of the Gold Coast’s most scenic locations has left locals rattled - not least because it reminded us of an unsettling truth.

Emergency services at Echo Beach after a body was discovered on the rocks.
Emergency services at Echo Beach after a body was discovered on the rocks.

Four bodies found in five days … and Gold Coast residents are rattled.

With some of the city’s most beautiful beaches and waterways instead becoming the site of tragic deadly discoveries last week, locals have been left feeling anxious.

Social media sites were filled with conspiracies and conjecture, with some certain there had to be some connection, others speculated our city was now home to a serial killer, and many simply feared just what they might find on their next beach walk.

With one man found on the rocks at Tallebudgera Creek in Burleigh Heads, a woman on the sand at Palm Beach, another man in a pool at Varsity Lakes and a woman found floating in Currumbin Creek, police are not treating any of the deaths as suspicious.

Instead, it really does appear to be just a horrible coincidence.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t more to this story … because these shocking discoveries reveal something about the Gold Coast.

The huge public reaction varied from care and concern for the victims and their families, to fears about crime and the growing cracks in our society.

While the Coast is often described as a transient town, the truth is we are the permanent home of well more than half a million residents … and we are doing our best to look after our neighbours.

Indeed, after news broke of the body found in Currumbin Creek last Wednesday, residents spoke of their concern both for the victim and witnesses, particularly a neighbour who took his own boat into the waterway to recover the body.

“What we witnessed was a local hero doing what many would not. Huge praise to the neighbours who acted and the wonderful Queensland Police for their bravery and ability,” said resident Chris Sparks.

“It’s very sad and we were concerned for the welfare of our neighbours and the police who have to deal with this stuff.”

Currumbin Creek, where a body was discovered last week. Picture: Chelsea Bunting.
Currumbin Creek, where a body was discovered last week. Picture: Chelsea Bunting.

The fact that so many of these discoveries were so public has only added to the trauma, with children playing just metres away from where emergency services were called to on Tallebudgera Creek’s Echo Beach, as well as hundreds of walkers and runners on the Oceanview track.

And while the serial killer conspiracies were popular online, there were a number of commenters who highlighted another thread of fear running through this deadly discourse.

Despite two of the four reported deaths being men, some wondered whether there was something more sinister at play.

“Let’s hope no one is targeting women … prayers sent for all and the ones left behind to go through these sad moments,” said one resident.

Police on the beach at Palm Beach where a body was found in the early hours of Sunday, July 20. Picture: Alex Treacy
Police on the beach at Palm Beach where a body was found in the early hours of Sunday, July 20. Picture: Alex Treacy

Again, none of these deaths were considered suspicious, but our city and country’s history of violence against women has left a mark that can be seen in our hypersensitivity. It’s not paranoia but pattern recognition, driven by too many real-life cases where women were ignored until it was too late.

While a serial murderer in the city is still, thankfully, the stuff of fiction, the sad fact is that domestic violence is all too real and common.

However, the greatest call for compassion came from those who recognised that the rapid growth of our city has meant that people inevitably slip through the cracks … particularly as we grapple with an ageing population, a loneliness epidemic, a homelessness crisis and a mental health emergency.

“Someone has been discovered deceased outside in the elements alone, so sad. I just pray that when my time comes, I will feel more comfort and love surrounding me. RIP dear lady,” wrote an online commenter.

We don’t know all of the details of the people discovered in those five days, but we do know they were more than just bodies.

They were someone’s mother, someone’s daughter, someone’s son, someone’s friend.

They were someone.

Originally published as Grim discoveries spark fears among Gold Coast locals

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/gold-coast/grim-discoveries-spark-fears-among-gold-coast-locals/news-story/fba77f6fcebdf5d25dea2609c27137ff