Tamborine Mountain builder Matthew Berry found dead in home

Police are investigating possible drug links to the brutal murder of a Gold Coast builder who was found beaten to death in his hinterland home, as the hunt his killer ramps up.

Forensic officers at the crime scene. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Police are investigating possible drug links to the brutal murder of a Gold Coast builder who was found beaten to death in the blood-spattered living room of his hinterland home.

The battered body of father-of-two Matthew Berry, 37, was discovered by his former partner, Edwina, in his parents’ Mt Tamborine home, where he lived alone, on Thursday afternoon.

She went to check on him, concerned for his welfare when she hadn't heard from him, and had to be treated for shock after witnessing the grisly scene.

Mr Berry had suffered what sources said were “traumatic” injuries, with police confirming clear “violence” had been inflicted.

Mr Berry had served jail time for drug offences, and detectives are investigating his associations.

The Courier-Mail can reveal that he was sentenced to two-and-half years’ jail in Brisbane Supreme Court in 2016 after pleading guilty to two counts of possessing dangerous drugs at Emerald in Central Queensland.

He was also due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court next week on fresh charges of drug-driving and possessing dangerous drugs.

Victim Matthew Berry on his wedding day (Facebook image)

Mr Berry grew up on Mt Tamborine, a picturesque hamlet and tourist hotspot where his stepfather Alan Cottle and mother Tania run the Stonehaven Manor guesthouse and wedding venue.

He operated his own building business called Mmb Construction from the mountain.

In a tragic twist, Mr Berry lost a brother, Travis Cottle, who died in January this year.

“A parent’s worst nightmare is to say goodbye to a child,” Alan Cottle posted on Facebook after the tragedy.

Facebook photos from happier times show Mr Berry caressing his partner Edwina’s pregnant stomach in 2018, posing for family happy snaps with their two young children in 2020, and walking hand-in-hand through a leafy field after their marriage in 2021.

“He was a 37-year-old father of two young children,” Detective Inspector Chris Knight, of Logan CIB, told a media conference on Friday.

“His life was tragically ended in his own home, and we’re appealing for public assistance to try and find the person or people responsible for this matter.”

Insp Knight said Mr Berry’s former partner, who isn’t accused of any wrongdoing, found his body after going to the Tolima Drive home around lunchtime on Thursday to check on him when she had not heard from him.

Police at the scene of the murder at Tamborine Mountain. Picture: Nigel Hallett

She immediately called police, who were confronted by a violent, bloody murder scene.

“It was very clear that there had been violence inflicted on the gentleman, but I don’t want to articulate at this stage (the injuries),” Inspector Knight said. He did not elaborate on whether a weapon may have been used, but said they believed Mr Berry was killed some time on Wednesday.

Police were investigating multiple scenarios, including whether he knew the person or people who killed him.

Mr Berry lived at the address alone and Inspector Knight said it was “not clear” if there were any signs of forced entry.

“It’s certainly feasible and probable that he might have known the person or people that attended that address. But like I said, at the moment it is early days of the investigation.

“We’ve had fingerprint experts at the address, we’ve had blood spatter experts at the address and general forensic officers to triage and make determinations about what expertise might be required to advance that crime scene.

“Nothing’s off-limits …

“Many of the facts surrounding this gentleman’s passing are largely unknown at the moment, but we have many lines of inquiry.”

Matthew Berry and family (Facebook image)

Police have interviewed multiple family members about Mr Berry’s family life, acquaintances and business practices to paint a better picture of his lifestyle.

Inspector Knight said Mr Berry’s ex was “grieving” but had spent hours with detectives and was “helping us greatly”.

Friend Shane Whiting said his thoughts were with Mr Berry’s family.

“I’m still shocked and in so much disbelief that this has happened,” he wrote on social media. “You were a top bloke growing up as a kid, thoughts are with family and Tambo Crew!”

Neighbours said Mr Berry kept to himself but they had seen children and a blonde woman at the property. One said he had seen Mr Berry’s work vehicle being towed away from the house recently.

“It’s (the murder) a big shock, at first we thought it might have been a suicide but the detectives told us they wouldn’t be here if it was that,” he said.

Police are appealing for CCTV, dashcam footage or information on anyone seen acting suspiciously in the area, especially on Wednesday.

Information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.