CCTV footage released in Hervey Bay murder investigation

More details about the alleged mood of the relationship between two neighbouring business owners has been revealed by police as a murder investigation which has rocked their home city enters its fourth day.

A Hervey Bay landlord and his tenant ‘didn’t get along’ for many months before one ended up dead in the business complex where they lived and worked, police allege.

Detective Sergeant Mick Polit told the Chronicle investigations so far had revealed successful business owner and murder accused Brett Gordon Williams, 57 and gasfitter victim Craig Dunn, 62, had taken a ‘general dislike’ to one another ever since becoming neighbours within the past year.

He said police were aware of an alleged ongoing feud and regular ‘disagreements’ between the two but couldn’t elaborate on the issues of contention.

Police have however dismissed drugs or money as the source of the dispute.

Other business owners in the estate told the Chronicle they were aware the two men didn’t get a long but were shocked by the level of alleged violence.

Police will allege the pair were involved in an altercation early Monday at the airport industrial estate on Victory East Street, Urangan.

It comes after police revealed ten minutes of lost time could be crucial in determining what happened in the moments before Mr Dunn’s bloodied body was found on Monday morning.

Detectives investigating the 62-year-old’s death released footage on Wednesday of a white 2020 Toyota Landruiser Prado just before it disappears from camera view, in the hope members of the community can help piece together what happens next.

They will allege that after a dispute in which Mr Dunn received serious head injuries, Mr Williams panicked, took his tenant’s phone and CCTV camera from the space he was leasing and dumped those items and potentially, other evidence, during a frenzied drive.

Detective Sgt Polit told the Chronicle footage captured on CCTV cameras showed Mr Williams’ car, travelling along Booral Rd and past the cricket ground about 7.15am Monday.

The footage released to the Chronicle is from a few minutes after that, showing the moment the white car allegedly takes over another vehicle, possibly a while or silver Mitsubishi Pajero on Elizabeth St, outside the business block which houses Blazes Burgerie, a laundromat and hairdresser.

While the time on the video says 6.43am, Det Sgt Polit explained the cameras had a lag of 35 minutes meaning the real time of the capture was allegedly 7.18am.

The car then disappeared from view but it’s understood police believe it turned left onto the Esplanade.

There’s a ten minute window before the car is allegedly spotted on camera again, travelling back into the airport industrial estate.

Mr Dunn’s body was discovered inside the business complex about 8am.

Det Sgt Polit said the footage from Elizabeth Street showed the car “flying” and he believed the alleged “manner of driving” would have drawn attention.

He asked anyone with information, dashcam/CCTV footage of the car and/or memories of a male in his 60s “behaving suspiciously outside of that vehicle … potentially discarding items”, between 7.15an and 7.30am Monday to come forward.

He said it would be alleged that during the drive, Mr Williams also dumped items in the Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens and those items, which couldn‘t be disclosed, had since been recovered.

Asked about the nature of what has been described as a “neighbourhood dispute”, Det Sgt Polit said police would allege two men “didn’t get along” and had a “general dislike for each other” from the moment Mr Dunn moved in less than 12 months ago.

He wouldn‘t be drawn on whether a weapon had been used in the Monday altercation and said a post mortem was being carried out on Wednesday.

Mr Williams was arrested at the complex on Monday morning and charged with murder and enter with intent.

He appeared in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court via video link on Tuesday and was remanded in custody.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.