Teen charged with murdering Damian Ramsay in Pacific Haven fire
There has been a shock development in the investigation of the death of a 50-year-old Fraser Coast man in a fire two years ago, with a Rockhampton teen arrested and charged. Read the full details:
Police & Courts
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An 18-year-old man has been charged with murder two years after a shed fire killed 50-year-old Damian Bradley Ramsay west of Hervey Bay.
Police announced the charge on Monday, June 24, 2024, saying in a media release it followed an “extensive investigation” into the blaze at Pacific Haven Drive in 2022.
Emergency crews were called to the scene of the fire, which had engulfed a “donga”, about 1.35am on February 18, 2022.
The “donga” (shed) was destroyed and Mr Ramsay’s body was found inside the wreckage.
It is understood he lived at the residence.
Police said the 18-year-old was arrested at Rockhampton on Monday, June 24.
The matter will next be mentioned before Hervey Bay Children’s Court on August 8, 2024.
133 Bruce Hwy deaths and counting for 2024, 13 in Wide Bay Burnett
He has been charged with three counts of arson, and one count each of murder and burglary and was scheduled to face the city’s Magistrates Court on the same date.
Detective Inspector Paul Dalton said the arrest was the result of a “protracted and thorough police investigation which led to the arrest”.
Operation Uniform Appaloosa was established and involved detectives from the Hervey Bay Criminal Investigation Unit and the Homicide Investigation Unit who examined the circumstances of the fire, and the man’s death.
“This was a complex investigation which has brought justice for the victim and we hope also some closure for his family,” Inspector Dalton said.