Two men have faced court charged with murder after the death of Craignish Country Club owner Greg Harding

Police have revealed slain country club owner Greg Harding died of a gunshot wound and the crime is allegedly linked to a vehicle stolen from Maroochydore used in a ram raid. WATCH THE VIDEO

Police have revealed Hervey Bay’s Craignish Country Club owner Greg Harding died of a close range gunshot wound during an alleged altercation at his caretaker’s cottage on August 15.

It comes after two men were charged with his murder at the weekend.

Joshua Marcus Pope, 30, and Gregory Tremayne Pryor, 25, had their cases mentioned in the Brisbane Arrests Court on Monday after the two men, both from Loganlea, were arrested at Coomera on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Both were remanded in custody and their matters adjourned until September 20.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters on Monday, Detective Inspector Gary Pettiford said a car used in a ram raid at Hervey Bay’s Stockland Shopping Centre had been linked to Mr Harding’s death.

“These offences revolve around a stolen motor vehicle,” he said.

“Police will be alleging that a dark coloured Iszuzu D-MAX four wheel drive with canopy and bull bar was stolen from the Maroochydore area on Friday the 13th of August.

“That vehicle subsequently travelled to Hervey Bay.

“On the 15th of August about 10pm at night that vehicle was involved in what’s commonly referred to ram raid at the Stockland Shopping Centre.

“Three people were involved in that, we have CCTV footage available that we’ve viewed and we believe one of those three persons is a female.”

Det Insp Pettiford said property and cash was allegedly stolen from a business at the centre.

No charges have been laid over the ram raid.

“About half an hour after that, that vehicle travelled to the Craignish Country Club, then following that, Mr Harding was murdered,” he said.

Police remain at the scene where Greg Harding, owner of the Craignish Country Club, was found dead on August 15.

“Less than an hour later, about 11pm on Sunday, August 15, that car was located in Maryborough and it was on fire and it has been totally destroyed.”

Det Insp Pettiford would not confirm where in the body Mr Harding had been shot.

He said the motive of the shooting was not yet known and the possibility of a robbery gone wrong had not been ruled out.

He said a forensic examination of the scene had revealed that there were more than two people involved.

“We still have several more persons of interest that we are investigating and we will continue to do so,” Det Insp Pettiford said.

“We will continue to investigate until all persons responsible for this horrendous crime are arrested and placed before the courts.”

Insp Pettiford urged anyone with information, or who might have already contacted Crime Stoppers, to contact police, not only from the Fraser Coast but also from Loganlea.

To contact Crime Stoppers, call 1800 333 000.

The Fraser Coast and Sunday Mail revealed on Saturday Mr Harding was on the cusp of retirement before he died.

Investigations are ongoing and anyone with additional information which may be able to assist with investigations is urged to speak to police.

If you have information, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24 hours a day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers.

Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Quote this reference number: QP2101510922.