Hope Island stabbing: Young man dies after allegedly being stabbed in Gold Coast carpark
The man charged with murder after one of Queensland’s most exclusive estates was plunged into lockdown following an alleged brutal stabbing has been named.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A man has been charged with murder after one of Queensland’s most exclusive estates was plunged into lockdown after a man was allegedly dragged from his car and stabbed to death at a Gold Coast medical centre in a terrifying daylight attack.
The 21-year-old victim, Will Swinbourne, 21, was allegedly ambushed in the carpark beneath Gold Coast Radiology at Hope Island and stabbed in the chest with what police sources said was a large-bladed knife shortly after 2pm on Monday.
Paramedics tried desperately to revive him but he died at the scene.
Haedyn Patrick Zachary Rawson has been charged with one count of murder in relation to the death of Mr Swinbourne in Hope Island on Monday afternoon.
He appeared in the dock when his case was briefly mentioned in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The Redbanks Plain man’s case was adjourned to March 26. He remains in custody.
It is alleged Rawson had been drinking with another man at the Boardwalk Tavern next to the radiology facility and stabbed the victim, who police allege he knew, after an altercation.
Police ruled out bikie links but were investigating if the slaying could be drug-related.
Roadblocks were set up outside the gated estate as police combed paved streets, golf course fairways, bushland and surrounding waterways for one of the two wanted men.
The search also involved the police helicopter, water police and the dog squad.
On Monday afternoon they arrested two suspects – a Surfers Paradise man and Rawson, both 23 – after a massive manhunt through areas including The Pines golf course at the prestigious Sanctuary Cove resort.
Rawson was was taken into custody at a Santa Monica Boulevard, Hope Island address about 5.30pm on Monday, and was on Tuesday morning charged with murder.
The Surfers Paradise man was arrested on nearby Sickle Avenue. He has not been charged and is no longer in custody.
Residents had earlier reported seeing “a suspicious-looking guy” running down the 11th fairway on the members-only The Pines golf course.
“Definitely wasn’t playing golf,” one local posted on a community Facebook page.
A visitor to the golf club said armed police were guarding the entrance to the building while they remained in lockdown as the manhunt continued. “There are maybe 100 people stuck in here right now and nobody can leave, the police are guarding everyone,” the club patron said.
“There are uniformed cops, plainclothes officers, the dog squad and SERT all here and the helicopter keeps flying really low over the course.”
Earlier, local resident Darren Clarke was leaving Coles only 100m away as police swarmed the area.
“I’ve never seen so many cops, just one after the other, after the other,” he said.
“They were like pulling up and then they’d get out and run into the place (radiology carpark). “It was pretty quick and the police had the road closed.”
Another resident posted to Facebook: “Just came out of there and police are checking all the vehicles leaving the centre. I’ve not seen so many police cars in one place.
“Hope those who are involved are OK.”