Police call for witnesses in Noosa homicide investigation

New CCTV has been released in relation to the death of an 87-year-old granddad at Noosa Heads as police appeal to several potential witnesses to the alleged fatal attack.

Police have released new CCTV footage as they call for several possible witnesses who were in the Hastings St area around the time John Kerr, 87, was murdered on his morning walk to come forward.

Key possible witnesses include a man who walked along a pathway near the crime scene at Noosa Heads about 6am Sunday, June 18.

Detectives are also hoping to speak with the occupants of three cars that were seen driving along Hastings St shortly before the alleged incident.

The cars include a white Toyota hatchback, a green Holden hatchback and a dark coloured sedan.

The occupants of the cars and the man are not believed to be connected to the murder, but are encouraged to contact police immediately.

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield stated at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon anyone who was in the vicinity at the time or thereabouts was “critical” to their investigation as witnesses.

“It is important we speak to as many people as we can,” he said.

Noosa Heads local John Kerr, 87, died on the boardwalk at Hastings St, Noosa about 6am Sunday after an alleged physical attack.

A 27-year-old Gympie man has been charged with the serious assault of another Noosa man Alan Beech, 69, with detectives confirming on Monday the man was the same person of interest in their investigation into Mr Kerr’s death.

The 27-year-old man has not been charged over Mr Kerr’s death.

Sergeant Mansfield said the possible witnesses in the released footage will form “part of the picture” but police want to ensure they have a “full picture” from their investigation before proceeding with charges or a brief of evidence.

The man remains a “person of interest” but police are keeping an open mind while the investigation continues, Sergeant Mansfield said.

The Gympie man was revealed to have been naked at the time of the alleged assault of Mr Beech.

Police have remained in touch with Mr Kerr’s family who are “obviously devastated” with many flying in to support Mr Kerr’s remaining loved ones on the Sunshine Coast.

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield spoke on police investigators' latest appeal for witnesses regard the death of 87-year-old John Kerr.

“Everyone in the (Noosa) community is concerned, as they should be, for a person who has lost his life in such a tragic circumstance,” he said.

Sergeant Mansfield said police are hoping to receive results from forensic investigations in the near future.

“There are a lot of crimes committed in Queensland so we’re in amongst the rest of the state when it comes to testing,” he said.

Police previously appealed to anyone walking in the Hastings St or Noosa Woods areas between 5am and 7am on Sunday who may have seen a naked man to come forward.

Mr Mansfield said police will be stationed at the boardwalk in Noosa on Sunday from 5am in hopes of speaking to witnesses who were in the area at the same time the previous week.