Friends visit sad site where missing man had spent final days

Placing flowers along the cold concrete barrier, amid the overgrown grass and debris, they shared memories of their mate whose sad end was the culmination of tough times.

It’s not where anyone should spend their final days.

In overgrown grass, beside a concrete drain, alone in the bitter cold.

But this was likely the reality for Hervey Bay man Scott Taylor whose body was discovered amid debris near the bikeway behind the nearby shopping centre on Friday, weeks after he’d been reported missing.

Among those who had been keeping an eye out for Scott were his friends Nathan Burton and Brad Doyle who visited the sad site on the weekend, placing flowers and later raising a drink in honour of a mate who hadn’t had it easy.

Scott was homeless and had been living rough for some time.

Brad, a support worker, had seen Scott “cruising around,” and one day, he approached him and started talking to him.

“He was one of the loveliest blokes,” he said.

He helped Scott, buying him lunch and cigarettes and introducing him to Nathan.

His friends put him in touch with organisations that could assist him.

Scott was reported missing on July 10 after he hadn’t been seen or heard from for a number of weeks.

“We’ve been worried about him,” Brad said.

A statement from the Queensland Police Service on Friday confirmed Scott had been found dead.

“Police would like to extend their appreciation to the public for their assistance with the matter,” the statement read.

“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident.”

A spokeswoman from the Queensland Police said the body had been found about 9am. Picture: Isabella Magee

It is not known at this time what caused Scott’s death.

But his friends want him to be remembered as the kind, likeable man they knew him to be.

“It’s definitely a sad day, that’s for sure,” Nathan said.

“Any time I would see him in town I’d stop and have a yarn to him.

“I’m going to miss seeing him around.”

Brad said he’d shed a “bit of a tear” after hearing the news.

Brad Doyle and Nathan Burton rested flowers where their friend Scott was found yesterday. Picture: Isabella Magee

Scott’s friends believe he passed near the area he’d been calling ‘home’.

They’d found cans scattered among a grassy hide-out, away from plain sight.

Scott's friends believe he passed near where he was sleeping. Picture: Isabella Magee

The friends are hoping the community will come together to help give Scott the funeral and send off he deserves.

They’re also hoping to place a permanent cross or symbol where Scott was found, so he “is never forgotten.”