Darryl Smith identified as man found dead in Gordonbrook Dam near Kingaroy

Police have released new details on the gruesome deaths of a man, identified as a Kingaroy store owner, and woman found in Gordonbrook Dam at the weekend.

Detectives investigating the deaths of a man and a woman – who were found tied together by a chain in a Queensland dam – have confirmed he was a local and have released a picture of his last movements.

The man found in the dam has been identified as Darryl Smith, 51. Police have not yet identified the woman.

Mr Smith, who had also used the name Matthew Goldman, ran a shop in Kingaroy called Goldman’s Oracles ‘n’ Gifts.

Darryl Smith at Wondai on March 10. Picture: QPS

It’s understood he lived in the area for at least 15 years and had previously lived in Brisbane.

A kayaker made the gruesome discovery of the two badly decomposed bodies at the Gordonbrook Dam, north of Kingaroy, on Saturday afternoon.

At a preliminary stage of the investigation police were treating their deaths as non-suspicious but they have been awaiting post mortems before confirming how they died.

“While post-mortem inquiries are still ongoing, investigators are still exploring all options regarding the matter but are not looking at the involvement of a third party in these deaths,” a statement said today.

A man whose body was found in a dam near Kingaroy has been identified as 51-year-old Darryl Smith.

Detective acting Inspector Paul McCusker said police were still trying to formally identify the woman.

He confirmed Mr Smith was connected to the woman by a chain.

“What we are appealing for is members of the public who may have seen the 2004 white Holden Commodore wagon parked at the Gordonbrook Dam sometime prior to March 13 this year to come forward to police,” Insp McCusker said.

“Or who may have seen or know of the movements of Darryl Smith prior to that date in the Kingaroy area.

“At this stage police are very open as to what has occurred at the dam but we are not trying to locate another person who is involved in their death.”

Insp McCusker said post mortems would be done tomorrow.

“It’s not until that is undertaken … that we will not be in a position to state how these two people have died,” he said.

“Two people were connected by a chain.”

Detectives are seeking public help from anyone who saw their white 2004 Holden Commodore station wagon parked in the picnic area of Gordonbrook Dam. Photo: QPS

Insp McCusker said the bodies were “weighted” but wouldn’t say what with.

He said police were releasing a photo taken of Mr Smith taken on March 11 in the Wondai area. He was seen at the post office.

Insp McCusker appealed for the public to contact police if they had contact with Mr Smith.

He said there was a blow-up bed near the car found at the dam.

“So one may suggest they may have been staying in the car at the time,” Insp McCusker said.

Police were in contact with Mr Smith’s family.

“Well obviously to lose a loved one – whether it be in this set of circumstances or at all – is a very traumatic thing and we pass on our thoughts at this time,” he said.

Insp McCusker said the car owned by Mr Smith had been parked at the dam since March 13.

He declined to say what police had found at the scene.

“I’m not saying it’s not suspicious, what I’m saying is we go to these investigations very open minded as to what has occurred,” he said.

“At this stage our inquiries have led us to believe we are not trying to find a second person involved, or any other person involved in their deaths.”

It is understood the bodies had been sitting in the dam for some time and that they were found lashed together.

The couple’s car had parked been at the dam since March 13. Picture: Dominic Elsome

Mr Smith was described as being a “bit odd” by a resident who said she knew him and his partner when they lived near them.

“We just knew first names,” the resident said.

“He told us about the two names (they used).

“They walked a lot, walked for miles.

“They were there (renting the house) maybe a year, then the house went up for sale.

“The last time I saw him he had long hair and a beard.”

A resident who regularly went to the dam said they had previously seen the same car and a man there a number of times in the past.

The crime scene at Gordonbrook Dam, north of Kingaroy, yesterday. Picture: Dominic Elsome

“For 18 months just before Covid hit there was a gentleman living in his car and tarps (who was) permanently parked beside the very first picnic table in the boat ramp area,” the resident said.

Detectives from Kingaroy and Murgon Criminal Investigation Branch are leading the investigation.

“A kayaker raised the alarm after sighting the bodies floating around 5m from the shore of the dam,” police said in a statement.

“A post mortem will be conducted in coming days.”

After the discovery the South Burnett Regional Council said it had temporarily stopped the blended drinking water supply from the dam and was now taking 100 per cent of its supply from Boondooma Dam.

Camping is not allowed at the dam and facilities there include picnic tables and toilets.

Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 (quote reference number QP2200473750)

If you or someone you know need help, call Lifeline on 131 114