Torquay murder probe: Alfred Westmoreland killed at Hervey Bay unit block

Police have revealed new details about what they allege occurred the night a Hervey Bay unit manager died violently, and why his alleged killer went there in the first place.

A man charged over the alleged murder of a Hervey Bay holiday unit manager was allegedly there after making an appointment with a sex worker, police allege.

Joshua John Wishart, 33, of Western Australia, was in Queensland visiting family. He was arrested on Saturday and did not appear when the case was mentioned in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Monday morning, October 23.

It followed shock allegations about what led to the death of 75-year-old Alfred Westmoreland, the owner and onsite manager of Tree Tops holiday units at Torquay about 7pm on Friday, October 20.

Police will allege Mr Westmoreland was attacked when he stepped in to help his wife Lynette during an altercation with Mr Wishart, who was visiting the complex for an appointment with a sex worker.

“So just to recap on what actually has happened, police will be alleging that the accused attended this address here on the Esplanade. He had an appointment with a sex worker,” Hervey Bay police officer Detective Inspector Gary Pettiford said on Monday at the scene.

“He went inside the unit,” Insp Pettiford said.

West Australian Joshua John Wishart has been remanded in custody over the violent alleged murder of a Hervey Bay holiday unit manager.

“An argument occurred as a result of that argument with a female - she yelled out for help,” he alleged.

“Another female who was upstairs. The owner of this unit was upstairs. She came down to help. She was will be alleging that she was assaulted by the offender and then that victim‘s husband came down to help her.

“(Police) will be alleging that the accused left the unit and had an altercation with the male victim who unfortunately passed away as a result of that assault.”

Insp Pettiford appealed to witnesses who may have been near the Beach House hotel and the Torquay Hotel on Friday night between about 7pm and 10:30pm to come forward.

“... whether they’re driving past in their cars if they had dash cam or if they just walking and noticed anything untoward going on,” he said.

“We believe that after the accused left the premises here. He went and sat over the road towards the beach and consumed some alcohol.

“So we’d like to know if anyone, any witnesses saw that obviously on a Friday night on the Esplanade here.

“It’s a pretty busy time with people walking, running, driving and just enjoying themselves.

“So we’ve really encouraged people to come forward by contacting Crime Stoppers as our previously said any little bit of information is good whether they think it’s big or small. It doesn’t matter. It’s up to us, then the piece it together.”

Mr Wishart was remanded in custody for a committal mention on December 21 on charges of murder, serious assault, demand property with menace and two counts of possessing dangerous drugs.

His defence lawyer, Victoria Ukpabi from Geldard Sherrington, made no application for bail.

Murder accused Joshua John Wishart.

Speaking to reporters in Hervey Bay on Saturday, Insp Pettiford said Mrs Westmoreland and another woman were involved in an “incident” with the man and Mr Westmoreland went to their aide.

He said Mr Westmoreland was seriously injured and died at the scene.

“Any information whether big or small is always helpful. Anyone who may have seen something unusual around that time to help us with our investigation.”

Weapons were not involved in the incident, Det Insp Pettiford said, with an autopsy to be carried out to determine Mr Westmoreland’s exact cause of death.

Det Insp Pettiford said Mrs Westmoreland had also allegedly been assaulted and taken to hospital but was later released.

“It’s horrific, her lifelong partner has lost his life in (allegedly) trying to help her,” he said.

A murder investigation is under way after a 75-year-old man was discovered dead at his Hervey Bay home. PHOTO: Adam Miller.

The day after the alleged incident, crime tape and a parked police car out the front of 388 the Esplanade, Torquay, were the only signs of what had occurred hours before.

Forensic officers, covered head to toe in protective clothing, could be seen at the back of the dated but tidy flower-lined brick block, opposite the beach and next door to a resort, high-end wine bar and restaurant.

Neighbouring business owners and residents said they had not heard or seen anything suspicious overnight but had been asked by police to share their CCTV footage.

According to a police statement, attempts were made to revive an unresponsive Mr Westmoreland at the scene, but he was declared dead.

Property records show the Westmorelands have owned the complex since 2000.