Police ramp up Mackay man John Hackett suspicious death investigation

A new witness has emerged, and more details have been revealed as police continue to investigate the suspicious death of a man at Mackay. LATEST.

Police are investigating the death of John Hackett after family members found his body in his Gold St home on November 9, 2024.

Shocking new details have emerged in the investigation into the suspicious death of an East Mackay man as a potential cause of death is revealed.

A post-mortem autopsy has indicated John Hackett’s death was the result of a head trauma as the investigation enters its 11th week.

This comes two weeks after police released new footage of Mr Hackett at the Shamrock Hotel on Nebo Rd on November 6, 2024.

Detective Inspector Emma Novosel said a man who spoke with Mr Hackett had come forward and told police he had a conversation with John on November 6.

Detective Inspector Novosel confirmed the man (who is not accused of any wrongdoing) lived interstate and interstate agencies assisted in the matter.

Following the conversation with the new witness, police are appealing to the public for anyone who was in the area of Shakespeare St, Gold St and Goldsmith St on November 6 between 6am and 10am, who may have seen John to contact them.

It’s believed Mr Hackett was wearing a white shirt with blue horizontal stripes on November 6. Photo: QPS Media

Detective Inspector Novosel said police had “some POIs in relation to this incident”, but added she would rather not expand on that.

“Certainly, we’ve had a lot of cooperation from John’s neighbours and the people who live in that area,” she said.

“We’re just looking for anyone who may have been in that area on the morning of the sixth...anyone who may have travelled along the street or been walking in that area and seen John.”

Mr Hackett was found dead inside his Gold St unit about 7.18am pm November 9 following a welfare check by his family who had been unable to make contact for several days.

Police declared a crime scene and opened a homicide investigation after receiving extra information including results from a postmortem examination indicating evidence of an assault on the 67-year-old.

Police believe Mr Hackett, who was still alive on November 7, may have been attacked on Melbourne Cup Day and in 2024 released CCTV footage of him at a nearby foodstore in the hopes it might spark someone’s memory.

Detective Inspector Novosel has said, “Investigations like this are protracted and complex.”