Shaun Smoothy charged: What we know so far about the alleged murder of Hampton man

The man accused of a macabre murder on a remote farm has sought evidence from the court for the first time. See the latest case update.

Shaun James Smoothy has been charged with the murder of 48-year-old Hampton man Paul Woods.

A Crows Nest man accused of a grisly murder appeared for the first time in Toowoomba court.

A representative of Shaun James Smoothy, 45, appeared before Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday, November 18 requesting evidence be supplied to Legal Aid Queensland, Mr Smoothy’s legal team.

Police divers searching a dam on a Sebastapool Road, property in Cressbrook Creek as part of an investigation into the suspicious disappearance of Paul Woods, a Hampton man who was last seen on October 14, 2025.

Magistrate Kyna Morice ordered a brief of evidence be delivered by close of business on January 13, 2026, allowing time for police and the prosecution to obtain all the relevant material.

The Crows Nest man is alleged to have killed and dismembered Hampton man Paul Woods on a rural Cressbrook Creek property in October this year.

A 45-year-old man has been charged with murder following the suspicious disappearance of a 48-year-old Hampton man Paul Woods (pictured). Picture: QLD Police

Mr Woods, 48, was last seen alive on October 5, riding an unregistered blue and white Yamaha 450 motorbike, travelling between the Hampton and Cressbrook Creek areas.

A search of the Cressbrook Creek property on Sebastapool Road uncovered likely human remains believed to be Mr Woods; however, they are yet to be formally identified.

It is understood Mr Smoothy frequented the property that was the subject of the search.

Despite circulating rumours the remains were fed to pigs at the property, police confirmed no animals were involved in the ongoing investigation.

SES volunteers, police divers, police on motorbikes and cadaver dogs at the scene of a Sebastopol Road farm in Cressbrook Creek, near Toowoomba as part of an investigation into the suspicious disappearance of Paul Woods, a Hampton man who was last seen on October 14, 2025.

A week following reports of Mr Woods’ disappearance to police on October 14, Mr Smoothy was charged with his murder and misconduct with a corpse by interfering.

He was arrested on the Gold Coast and first heard in the Southport Magistrates Court, with his matters now transferred back to Toowoomba.

Mr Smoothy did not request bail and remains in police custody awaiting his next court date on January 27, 2026.

Police are imploring anyone with information regarding Mr Woods or the movements of a white Yamaha 450 motorbike on October 5 and 6, 2025 to contact them.

Contact Policelink using the online suspicious activity form at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting, or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers (www.crimestoppersqld.com.au).

You can also call 1800 333 000 and quote reference number: QP2501854003.

Originally published as Shaun Smoothy charged: What we know so far about the alleged murder of Hampton man