Friend of murder victim Craig Dunn ‘Dunny’ pays tribute

A friend of Hervey Bay gasfitter, allegedly killed by his landlord, has paid tribute to the man behind the headlines, providing an insight into his life and character as a murder investigation continues.

A friend of alleged murder victim and gasfitter Craig Dunn has paid tribute.

It comes after Mr Dunn’s body was discovered at a complex in a Hervey Bay industrial estate on Monday.

Speaking to the Chronicle Mick Haskard, 62, shared memories of ‘Dunny’, as his late friend was affectionately known.

“He was a great man, over the top and loved dancing,” Mr Haskard said.

“Favourite memory of Craig … (he) loved life, would help anyone …

“Loved putting on a suit jacket, hat, and going dancing, full on Dunny style … he was just a great man.”

Mick Haskard has paid tribute to his friend Craig Dunn. Photo: Contributed.

Mr Dunn’s landlord, Brett Gordon Williams, 57, is charged with murder and was this week remanded in custody after fronting Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

More information has also been revealed by police about the alleged mood of the relationship between the two neighbouring business owners.

Police allege the body of Mr Dunn, 62, was discovered at an industrial complex on Victory East Street at Urangan, near the city’s airport about 8am Monday.

The Chronicle understands Mr Williams is the owner of the large complex, which is situated near storage shed companies and other trade and service businesses, and Mr Dunn had leased one of the shed spaces where he operated Agast Gas Services for less than 12 months.

Hervey Bay gasfitter Craig Dunn has been confirmed as the man whose body was found in an industrial estate in Hervey Bay.

Speaking to reporters in Maryborough on Tuesday, Detective Acting Inspector Wade Lee said police would allege the two men had been involved in an ongoing dispute but dismissed drug links.

He said Mr Dunn was dead when officers arrived and Mr Williams was also at the scene and arrested.

Asked about Mr Dunn’s injuries, Det Act Insp Lee said he had suffered “significant” head trauma but the cause would be determined at a post mortem examination.

He also said police believe an altercation occurred “in a number of locations around the industrial complex” and that after Mr Dunn had died, Mr Williams allegedly left the area and later returned.

All of this, he alleged, took place between 6.30am and 8am Monday.

The business where alleged murder victim Craig Dunn worked.

“Inquiries are still early, but we’ve established that there appears to be an ongoing neighbourhood dispute between the deceased and the male person that was located at the scene,” Detective Acting Inspector Lee alleged.

“We have anecdotal information that the deceased and the male person arrested for murder were in an ongoing dispute over a number of issues …”

Police are investigating the suspicious death of a man in Victory East Street, Urangan.

Police have also released footage of a car – a white 2020 Toyota Landcruiser Prado – as they call for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone who may have dashcam footage or saw it between those hours on Monday morning, travelling from the Hervey Bay industrial area near the Airport, down Booral Road onto Elizabeth Street towards Esplanade at Urangan, is asked to come forward.

The car may have stopped at the Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens on Elizabeth Street.

Det Act Insp Lee said police were also appealing “for anyone that may have seen or heard a disturbance in the industrial area around the Hervey Bay airport”.

Police are appealing for witnesses that may have sighted a white 2020 Toyota Landcruiser Prado between the hours of 6am and 8am on Monday.

Following the grim discovery, a crime scene was declared, and Operation Uniform Jaw established as investigations commenced.

Forensic investigators could be seen combing the business complex under flood lights on Monday night and officers continued to guard the scene on Tuesday.

Mr Williams appeared briefly via video link in court on Tuesday morning charged with murder and enter with intent – a charge police allege results from an attempt to take CCTV and a mobile phone from the area.

He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on June 9.