Two charged with murder as chequered life of gym instructor found dead in motel revealed

Two people have been charged with the murder of a man who died in an alleged assault at a motel north of Brisbane overnight. The dead man has been revealed as a gym instructor facing serious criminal charges.

Police at a Kallangur motel where a man was found dead after reports of a disturbance. Picture: Samantha Scott

Two people have been charged with the murder of a man who died in an alleged assault at a motel north of Brisbane overnight

Christopher George Lymar, 48, died after he was allegedly attacked by a group of people following a disturbance at the Pine Rivers Motel in Kallangur around midnight.

Lymar, whose shocked friends described him as a “good man”, was found with head and leg injuries and died at the scene despite paramedics’ efforts to revive him.

It can be revealed he was facing serious criminal charges at the time of his death.

Two men - a 37-year-old Beerwah man and 41-year-old Mount Tom man - have been charged with one count each of murder.

They will both appear before Maroochydore Magistrates Court tomorrow (Saturday).

The body of Christopher George Lymar, 48, was found at Pine Rivers Motel in Kallangur

The Courier-Mail can reveal that Lymar was scheduled to go to trial in Brisbane District Court in April on nine charges, including possessing and supplying dangerous drugs and importing tier-one goods without approval.

Lymar appeared in Brisbane District Court in December and pleaded not guilty to the offences, which allegedly occurred from 2017-19.

Lymar’s heartbroken friends today took to social media to pay tribute.

“Rest in peace brother, one of the best people I know,” a friend wrote on Facebook.

“Life was cut short early hours this morning.”

Police said a variety of bladed weapons were found at the scene on Anzac Ave, and an autopsy would reveal the cause of Lymar’s death.

“We believe an assault has occurred,” Senior Sergeant Tracey Martin said.

“A post-mortem has not been conducted at this stage yet, so we’re still trying to establish what the extent of those injuries were.”

Police at a Kallangur motel where a man was found dead after reports of a disturbance. Picture: Samantha Scott

Sen Sgt Martin said it was awful when anybody lost their life in “such a horrific and confronting situation”, and appealed for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A heavy police presence remained at the motel on Friday, and a Toyota sedan with a smashed front windscreen was towed away for forensic examination.

According to Lymar’s social media accounts he worked as a gym instructor and also worked in the film industry as an actor and extra.

“I have worked on about 70 films as an extra and actor, completed Queensland screen performers academy courses up to advanced,” he wrote on his Star Now profile.

“Also have done various modelling jobs.”

Anyone with information, or who may have any relevant footage, is asked to come forward and speak with police.

Neighbours of the motel said this morning they often heard “yelling and fighting” at the motel where Lymar died.

Acting Senior sergeant Tracey Martin speaking to media at Petrie police station after a man in his 40s died at Pine Rivers Motel in Kallangur overnight. Picture: Tara Croser.

A car is towed away from the scene at a hotel where a man's body was found overnight. Picture: Samantha Scott

Two residents who live directly behind the motel said it was common to hear people “yelling and having domestics”.

A man who has lived in the area for five years said it’s not “uncommon” for police to be parked in his front yard.

He described the motel as more of a halfway house.

“Put it this way, I wouldn’t go in there without a tetanus shot and steel cap boots,” he said.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, lives two doors down from the motel and only heard about the man’s death when his boss called him alarmed after driving past his house about 6.30am.

“I woke up this morning, I was still in bed, and my boss rang me and was like ‘what’s going on outside your house?’” he said.

The neighbour (pictured) said his boss alerted him to what was going on outside. Pics Tara Croser.

“I was like ‘what are you talking about?’ He said ‘there’s coppers and they just covered someone with a tarp’.”

The neighbour said he often heard fighting coming from the direction of the motel.

“Nothing that can happen there that can surprise me,” he said.

Police are appealing for anyone with information, CCTV or Dashcam footage of the scene to come forward.

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