Tributes flow as NRL star Tom Opacic takes to field hours after brother killed
A man has been charged following the death of NRL star Tom Opacic’s brother Jake, who died after an alleged prison love triangle fight erupted outside a Gold Coast jail.
Police & Courts
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A man has been charged following the bizarre death of NRL star Tom Opacic’s brother Jake following a suspected prison love triangle gone wrong near a Gold Coast hinterland jail.
The Benowa man, 29, surrendered to Laidley police station just after 2am on Saturday.
He has been charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and driving while disqualified.
The man was refused bail and will appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday.
Police investigations are continuing.
It comes as tributes are flowing for the brother of former Bronco Tom Opacic, who was killed after a bizarre prison love triangle played out near a Gold Coast hinterland jail.
Jake Opacic, 28, died in a motorcycle crash near the Numinbah Correctional Centre just after 10am on Friday.
He is believed to have gone to the low-security prison farm for the release of his ex-girlfriend only to be allegedly confronted by her current partner.
Police say Mr Opacic got into an argument outside the jail with at least two other males and died in a motorcycle crash soon after.
They are investigating whether he was struck by another vehicle.
Tom Opacic took the field for the Paramatta Eels in their one-point loss to the Penrith Panthers on Friday night and his club put out a statement expressing sorrow.
“We are sad to learn of the sudden passing of Jake Opacic today, brother of Tom Opacic,” the club said.
“The Parramatta Eels extend their thoughts and deepest sympathies to the Opacic family.
“Tom was brave to play in tonight’s game under painful circumstances, and we will support him during this difficult time.
“On behalf of everybody at the Club, our members, fans, and partners, we send our sincerest condolences to Tom and his family.”
Friends took to social media to pay tribute to Jake.
“RIP Jake Opacic taken way too soon,” one female friend posted on Facebook.
“You had an impact on everyone you met and are greatly missed by all.
“Condolences to all your family, friends and all the boys that are really struggling today. Thinking of you all x.”
Jake, a former competitive boxer who attended Caboolture State High with Tom, had spent time in jail.
The woman who Mr Opacic went to meet outside jail is believed to have found him lying, badly injured, on the road near the jail, with his bike in a gully.
First responders including Queensland Parks and Wildlife officers worked unsuccessfully to revive him.
Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn, of Gold Coast CIB, said Mr Opacic had been involved in an argument with at least two other people just minutes before his death.
Police have spoken to witnesses, including the woman who had been released, but were still trying to locate one of the men.
“We believe there may have been an altercation between the deceased and some other people at this location,” Det Insp Ahearn said.
“We’re trying to work out the circumstances of how all these people know each other, whether they knew they were all going to be here at the same time together, what the nature of their discussion was … all of these questions are yet to be answered.
“We don’t know if he has had contact with another car or what the circumstances were in ending with him coming off his bike.”
Police declared a crime scene and closed Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd as detectives and forensic crash officers launched a suspicious death investigation.
On his Facebook page, Mr Opacic told followers several months ago he had just got out of jail “again”.
“Hopefully the last time,” the former competitive boxer posted.
“I‘ve spent the best part of the last three years nearly doing this s--t.”
Tom Opacic, who also played for the North Queensland Cowboys and now Parramatta, declined to comment when contacted by The Courier-Mail.
Anyone driving on Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd between Numinbah Valley and Natural Bridge between 9.30am and 10.30am on Friday should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.