Paul Anthony Coughlan charged with murder, interfering with a corpse
A Maroochydore man charged with the alleged stabbing murder of a retired Sunshine Coast hinterland teacher aide has been named in court as new details emerge. WARNING: GRAPHIC
Police & Courts
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Police will allege a retired teacher aide, who was stabbed to death at a hinterland property on May 11, was ‘mutilated’ by his alleged killer after he died, court documents state.
Paul Anthony Coughlan, 68, was charged with murder and interfering with a corpse after the body of 69-year-old retired teacher aide Chris Gwin was found at a Conondale home on May 13.
Mr Coughlan, who is in custody, did not appear in court on Monday, May 15 and had his matter adjourned until August 18 for committal mention.
Court documents state that police will allege Mr Coughlin had “mutilated” the body and that he was mentally unwell. He has been placed under the Mental Health Act, the documents state.
He was remanded in custody and referred to prison mental health, the documents state.
Police allege Mr Coughlan, who knew Mr Gwin, arrived at the Conondale home on May 11 between 10am and 1pm where an unprovoked assault occurred.
Mr Gwin was allegedly stabbed and died of his wounds a short time later, police have alleged. His body was found on Saturday, May 13, just after 4pm by an acquaintance.
Concerns for Mr Gwin were raised after he failed to attend a weekly dinner with friends.
A homicide investigation was launched into Mr Gwin’s death and crime scenes have been established encompassing two vehicles and three properties at the Kilcoy Lane address.
Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch detectives have asked anyone with information to come forward, including nearby residents with dashcam or CCTV captured within the past week.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24 hours a day at police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
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