Alleged Bogie triple killer Darryl Valroy Young indicted in supreme court

The case against an alleged triple killer accused of gunning down three family members will take its next step, the same day he learns the result of a part heard bail application.

Picture of police tape sealing off Shannonvale Rd about 3km from crime scene where Mervyn and Maree Schwarz and Graham Tighe were shot and killed at Bogie, Central Queensland.

An alleged triple killer accused of gunning down three family members will be formally charged in the supreme court, the same day he learns the result of a part heard bail application.

Accused Bogie shooter Darryl Valroy Young is charged with the murders of his neighbours Mervyn and Maree Schwarz and Maree’s son Graham Tighe early on August 4, 2022 at the fence line between their rural cattle properties, west of Bowen.

Police allege Maree’s other son Ross Tighe witnessed the triple shooting, and also survived a life threatening gunshot wound to the stomach at the hands of Mr Young.

For two years the case progressed through the magistrates court until August 2024, when Mr Young was committed to the Townsville Supreme Court on three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Mr Young has not entered any pleas.

Maree and Merv Schwarz (left) and Graham Tighe (top right) all died after a shooting at a Bogie property west of Mackay. Ross Tighe (bottom right) survived a gunshot wound to the stomach after undergoing emergency surgery.

Police allege the grazier had invited the four family members to an early morning meeting at the front gate of his Shannonvale property over a dispute about boundary lines, a water bore and the return of unbranded cattle.

It is further alleged after some discussion between the two parties, Mr Young retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and started shooting.

The alleged murder weapon has never been found.

Police also allege a critically injured Ross Tighe managed to flee the scene and seek help, alerting police, before he was flown to Mackay Base Hospital where he received life saving surgery.

Accused Bogie shooter Darryl Valroy Young is charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

It is understood on Friday formal indictments will be presented in Townsville Supreme Court against Mr Young for three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

If convicted of all three murders, Mr Young faces life imprisonment with a maximum non parole period of at least 30 years.

He has been in custody on remand since his arrest in August 2022.

In December 2024 he made his first bail application in Townsville Supreme Court before Justice David North, but concerns were raised over the proposed bail address after it was revealed it would not allow for consistent GPS monitoring.

The application was adjourned to late January for a new potential address to be explored.

Originally published as Alleged Bogie triple killer Darryl Valroy Young indicted in supreme court