Sunshine Coast police search Caloundra tip for Conondale alleged murder weapon

The search is continuing in a Caloundra tip for items related to the alleged murder of retired teacher aide Chris Gwin. Read the latest.

More than 17 SES volunteers are searching the Caloundra Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre on Pierce Ave for a weapon and items of clothing believed to have been used in the alleged murder of Chris Gwin.

The search in Sunshine Coast landfill for items related to the alleged murder of retired Conondale school aide Chris Gwin is continuing.

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, has been remanded 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.

On May 18, Sunshine Coast police and SES volunteers began searching in the Caloundra Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre on Pierce Ave for the alleged murder weapon along with clothing allegedly discarded by accused.

Criminal Investigation Branch officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield said SES volunteers and police would continue to search the same area of the Caloundra tip on May 19.

Sunshine Coast police and the SES are searching the Caloundra Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre on Pierce Ave for a weapon and items of clothing believed to have been used in the alleged murder of retired school aide Chris Gwin.

“It’s not a pleasant job so we appreciate the efforts of the SES and the police who are there for such an important matter,” he said.

On May 18, Sunshine Coast CIB Detective Sergeant Peter Hocken said police had a good idea of the items of clothing they were looking for because of CCTV footage.

Conondale man Chris Gwin.

He said extensive investigations had taken place.

“Based on those investigations we’ve managed to pinpoint that the property would be likely located at the Caloundra landfill,” Sergeant Hocken said.

More than 17 SES volunteers and seven police officers were searching the site, which was concealed from a view at the fence line.

“It’s vital for our investigation that we locate the weapon used as well as tie up some further evidence regarding the clothing that was discarded,” Sergeant Hocken said.

Sunshine Coast CIB Detective Sergeant Peter Hocken addresses the media outside the Caloundra tip on May 18.

The detective said police believe the items were thrown in a bin and, with the assistance of the landfill operator, police were able to pinpoint where the bin would have been discarded in the landfill site.

“Based on that, they basically dig it up and we do a systematic search basically with pick axes and hoes,” Sergeant Hocken said.