Witnesses describe shock over alleged stabbing at Innisfail unit

Witnesses and residents at an Edith St unit complex where father-of-two Raymond Smerdelj was allegedly stabbed have described their shock over the incident.

The Edith St flats building in Innisfail was a crime scene. Picture: PETER CARRUTHERS

• Man dead after alleged stabbing at unit complex
• Key witness sought in alleged stabbing murder
• Father and son in bizarre courthouse arrest

EDITH St residents spoke of their shock yesterday as police launched a murder investigation.

Matthew Harris, a tenant at the flats, was stunned when he returned home at 10.30pm on Thursday to find the complex cordoned off and surrounded by police.

“I didn’t expect to come home and see this. I am lost for words,” he said.

“They would not let me in because it was a crime scene. I had to ring up a friend and stay at their place for the night. I have only had two hours sleep.

Edith St flats resident Matthew Harris in front of the Innisfail building in which Raymond Smerdelj died. Picture: PETER CARRUTHERS

“I am disturbed at the moment, shocked. I didn’t expect it to happen in my area – someone getting stabbed or murdered or killed.”

A witness said she was visiting a friend at the Edith St complex on Thursday night when a noise was heard and a man was seen staggering from the ground-floor unit.

“We heard something smash and he came out holding his chest and then he just collapsed,” she said.

“It still doesn’t seem real.”

SES crews comb Edith St in Innisfail for evidence relating to the death of a man on Thursday night. Picture: PETER CARRUTHERS

Innisfail man Clay Stone, 30, has been charged with the stabbing murder of father-of-two Raymond Smerdelj, 32.

Police were called about 6pm on Thursday following reports of an altercation.

The pair were known to each other, although police have not said what led to the alleged attack.

The complex was expected to remain a crime scene until late yesterday.

All the residents were asked to leave, with police having to put some of them up in local accommodation.

Originally published as Witnesses describe shock over alleged stabbing at Innisfail unit