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Homicide investigators call for public information about suspicious death of Gatton businessman Jim Hill

Your information could provide vital evidence that leads police to identifying the people responsible for the death of respected Gatton businessman Jim Hill

Tributes are flowing for Jim Hill, who was killed after he was violently assaulted in his home.
Tributes are flowing for Jim Hill, who was killed after he was violently assaulted in his home.

Detectives are continuing to gather evidence and CCTV material as they investigate the suspicious death of Gatton businessman Jim Hill.

The 76-year-old father died in hospital on May 5 from blunt force trauma injuries he suffered in his Hood Street home on Anzac Day.

Mr Hill was initially showing signs of recovery, but later took a turn for the worse.

His death prompted a homicide investigation.

Police put a call out for CCTV and dashcam footage of the area around Hood Street Gatton from 6-7pm on April 25.

Gatton and Minden Bus Service owner Jim Hill died in Toowoomba Hospital on May 5 after suffering injuries in an assault at his home on April 25.
Gatton and Minden Bus Service owner Jim Hill died in Toowoomba Hospital on May 5 after suffering injuries in an assault at his home on April 25.

Speaking shortly after Mr Hill’s death, Darling Downs Detective Investigator Heath McQueen encouraged anyone with information or material to come forward.

“I don’t really want to particularise because someone might then think that something’s not of importance to us when it is,” he said.

“It’s really important that people cast their mind back to their movements on Anzac Day, particularly leading up to 6pm and 7pm that evening, in and around that area.

“You may not have been near Hood Street, but you may have passed a vehicle or a person or persons of interest two streets away.

Detective Inspector Heath McQueen addresses media in relation to a homicide investigation after the death of Gatton man Jim Hill, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Detective Inspector Heath McQueen addresses media in relation to a homicide investigation after the death of Gatton man Jim Hill, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“We’ll review the footage and we will identify if it is of interest to us or not.

The initial police investigation indicates the offender entered via the rear door of Mr Hill’s Hood Street home and assaulted him with a blunt instrument, like a bat.

The Chronicle understood Mr Hill had only been living at the address for about three weeks and had planned to move to North Queensland.

He owned the Gatton and Minden Bus Service and was well-known in the town for offering free rides in his 1917 GMC – Australia’s oldest registered bus.

Daughter and business co-owner Tayla Hill said her father was “incredibly generous” to people he cared about and had deep affection for Gatton.

Gatton and Minden Bus Service owner Jim Hill, pictured with daughter Tayla, died in Toowoomba Hospital on May 5 after suffering injuries in an assault at his home on April 25.
Gatton and Minden Bus Service owner Jim Hill, pictured with daughter Tayla, died in Toowoomba Hospital on May 5 after suffering injuries in an assault at his home on April 25.

“He was a larger-than-life character — he always had a funny story to tell, he was heavily involved in the transport industry for 50-plus years,” she said.

“As a father, he always made sure we didn’t go without, and towards anyone he cared about he was a generous man.

“He worked and did play hard occasionally and knew how to enjoy himself.

“Anyone who found themselves in trouble, Jim was always the first person you’d call.”

Police are casting a wide net as they work towards catching the people responsible.

Insp McQueen said he is confident police will make an arrest.

“Gatton isn’t a large area there may be somebody who has information that may not have dashcam footage or CCTV footage but is a local to the area and has information they wish to provide to release please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” he said.

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/gatton/homicide-investigators-call-for-public-information-about-suspicious-death-of-gatton-businessman-jim-hill/news-story/9d013f1e9034065762d1488def0f77be