Video emerges of Will Swinbourne three years before death on Gold Coast
Video has emerged of a young man allegedly murdered in a horrific daylight stabbing on the Gold Coast in what police allege was a drug deal gone wrong.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A haunting YouTube video has emerged of a young man allegedly murdered in a horrific daylight stabbing on the Gold Coast in what police allege was a drug deal gone wrong.
Will Swinbourne, 21, died after being stabbed in the chest in a carpark beneath the Gold Coast Radiology building at Hope Island on Monday.
Former Ipswich Grammar student Haedyn Rawson, 23, of Redbank Plains, has been charged with murder.
Police have alleged the pair met at a concert starring British DJ Fred Again on the Southport Spit on Saturday night and that Mr Swinbourne went to Hope Island to do a drug deal with Rawson, only to be killed.
Glitter Strip personal trainer Alex Connor, who coached Mr Swinbourne, posted a video to YouTube in 2021, saying he was “super proud of this kid”.
Connor, of Fearless Training, said Mr Swinbourne had approached him in the gym to get some tips to complement his rugby, as it was his dream to play professionally.
“Many months later after working on technique, skill adaptations and conditioning he has broken records at his club, completely smashed his numbers on all the big three lifts and is standing in good stead to get a paid contract to play rugby full time,” Mr Connor wrote.
“Super proud of this kid. His work ethic is relentless, his passion is contagious and his drive for success is fierce – go get em Will!”
In the video, Mr Swinbourne told how he was lifting heavier weights and “looking and feeling better than ever” after training with Connor.
“I learned how to lift better, eat better and train smarter,” he said.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help support Mr Swinbourne’s family and pay for funeral costs.
Andrew Neate, who works with Mr Swinbourne’s father Steve in aviation services firm Wymap, started the fundraiser to help the family following the “tragic incident”.
“The loss of a loved one under such heartbreaking circumstances is unimaginable, and our hearts go out to Steve and his family during this incredibly difficult time,” Mr Neate wrote.
“Money raised will support the Swinbourne family and relieve the financial pressure of laying Will to rest.”
More than $2000 had been donated within hours of the fundraiser being launched.
In the wake of the tragedy, senior police reinforced pleas for people not to arm themselves with knives.
“It’s very concerning behaviour – anyone who takes a knife anywhere is asking for trouble,” Gold Coast CIB boss Detective Inspector Mark Mooney said on Tuesday.
“You take a knife to an incident like this and this is the possible consequences of that.
“It’s devastating for the families involved. It’s really devastating that this is still occurring in our community.”
Police update on Lockyer Valley mother’s ‘suspicious’ death
Police will this morning release details surrounding the death of a respected psychologist and mother who was fatally injured in what was initially reported as a lawnmower “rollover.”
Canadian allegedly busted with $5m of meth in luggage
A Canadian man was allegedly caught with 5kg of meth after being selected for a baggage examination when he arrived at Brisbane International Airport.