Police find clothing item in Caloundra landfill after Conondale alleged murder

A two-day search of a Sunshine Coast tip has turned up a key item of clothing as police investigate a possible motive for ex-teacher aide Chris Gwin’s violent alleged murder.

Police are investigating the alleged murder of Conondale man Chris Gwin.

Detectives are investigating a possible motive which has emerged for the alleged violent murder and mutilation of ex-teacher aide Chris Gwin after a two-day landfill search ended with a key find for investigators.

Mr Gwin, 69, was allegedly stabbed to death at his Conondale home on May 11, but his body was not found until May 13.

Maroochydore man Paul Anthony Coughlan, 68, remains in custody after he was charged with Mr Gwin’s murder and interfering with his corpse, with police alleging Mr Gwin’s body was mutilated after his violent death.

Criminal Investigation Branch officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield said the police and SES search of the Caloundra Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre which started on Thursday, May 18, on Pierce Ave, finished on the afternoon of Friday, May 19, with a key find.

“We’ve located one item of interest to us,” Sergeant Mansfield said.

“We have to get subsequent testing on it and it’s an item of clothing.”

Sunshine Coast police and the SES searched the Caloundra Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre on Pierce Ave for two days following the alleged murder of retired school aide Chris Gwin.

Sergeant Mansfield said the clothing was found under nearly 2m of other rubbish and it would take between three and six months for the completion of forensic testing on it.

Detectives are also investigating whether a dispute over scuba equipment could be related to the death of Mr Gwin.

Anyone with any information about the alleged murder should come forward via Policelink or Crime Stoppers.

Mr Coughlan’s court matters were adjourned until August 18 for committal mention.