Private school teacher tied up, hit by semi on M1
A teacher from a Brisbane private school who was killed after being allegedly tied to a chair, before later being hit by a semi-trailer on the M1 has been remembered as a “popular and well-regarded member of our community”.
Police & Courts
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A MAN allegedly tied to a chair before later being hit and killed by a semi-trailer on the M1 has been revealed as an elite Brisbane private school teacher.
Police say Anthony Stott, 43, of Fortitude Valley, was tied up at a Round Mountain property in northern NSW before being hit by the semi on the Pacific Highway at Cudgera Creek, south of Tweed Heads, on Monday morning.
Mr Stott - a primary school teacher at St Peters Lutheran College at Springfield - was last seen after he flew into Brisbane Airport from Sydney about 3pm on Sunday.
Detective Acting Superintendent Brendon Cullen said Mr Stott’s silver BMW was found on the highway about 2am on Monday.
Police will allege a couple held Mr Stott against his will by tying him to a chair at their house on a Kanes Rd address prior to his death as a pedestrian on the M1.
Two people - Mark Francis Frost, 46, and Lauren Claire Grainger, 38, from Cudgera Creek - were arrested about 4pm on the day of Mr Stott’s death and charged with take or detain a person in company with intent to obtain advantage.
Mr Frost and Ms Grainger are not charged in relation to Mr Stott’s death.
Supt Cullen said police were investigating all avenues, and had not ruled out illicit drugs being involved.
“We want to know further about what happened and the circumstances around Mr Stott’s death,” he said.
The pair were refused bail in Tweed Heads Local Court on Monday and will re-appear next week.
Tweed detectives are appealing for information from the public as investigations continue.
“Anthony had only just returned to the country from a trip in Peru, landing in Sydney earlier last week, then at Brisbane Domestic Airport on Sunday afternoon,” Supt Cullen said.
“We believe he may have visited his home in Fortitude Valley before travelling down towards the North Coast of NSW.
“We have recovered his vehicle, which was located abandoned near the scene on the M1 about 2am on Monday morning.
“We want to speak with anyone on the NSW Far North Coast or across the border in Queensland who may have had dealings with or had spoken with him since Sunday 9 February.
“We’re also wanting to speak with anyone who may have seen his vehicle on Sunday afternoon – a silver BMW with NSW registration ANL 72Y.
“Piecing together his movements in the 24-hours prior to his death is crucial and I urge anyone who may have any information to contact Crime Stoppers.”
Police believe Mr Stott was walking along the side of the motorway no longer restrained when he was hit by the truck and killed.
St Peters Lutheran College Springfield says it has been ‘devastated’ by Mr Stott’s ‘tragic passing’.
“Mr Stott was a primary school teacher at the College from 2018 and was a popular and well-regarded member of our community,” the school said in a statement.
“This is a very difficult time for the St Peters community and the College is offering support to Mr Stott’s family as well as staff, students and families.
“Out of respect for Mr Stott’s family, and because this is now an active Police investigation, it is not appropriate for the College to make any further public comment.”
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