Neighbour of allegedly murdered DJ tells of moment police came knocking

The neighbour of Andrew Stephens, who was allegedly murdered in his Taringa home, thought cops were knocking on his door to deliver news his neighbour had died from COVID-19. He later learned the frightening truth.

Police allege Andrew Stephens, 48, was murdered inside his own home last week. Picture: Supplied.

The neighbour of 48-year-old Andrew Wright Stephens, who was found dead inside his Taringa home days after police allege he was murdered, has told The Courier-Mail he thought his neighbour had died of COVID-19 when police came knocking on his door last week.

The man, who did not wish to use his name, lives in the same Waverley Rd complex where police allege Mr Stephens was murdered by Michael Bradley Small and Scott Richard Gordon, both 33.

The Waverley Rd man told The Courier-Mail of the moment he learned his neighbour had been found dead.

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Mr Stephens was a DJ and radio producer. Picture: Supplied

“Last Thursday the 3rd of August the police came to my unit complex on Waverley Rd, then later into the evening went door knocking asking if I knew him,” he said.
“They then stated that he was deceased and the circumstances were suspicious.

The Waverley Rd resident said when the police initially knocked on his door, one standing nearby dressed in a full forensic outfit fitted with a face mask and gloves, he’d thought perhaps his neighbour had died as a result of COVID-19.

“I thought it might have been Covid related,” he said.

“I thought that because there was a guy all covered like Hazmat style walking in and out, and his face was covered.

“I was shocked when I read it was (alleged) murder (in the news) … I was taken aback a bit.”

The man said he had only lived in the complex for two months, however would on occasion see Mr Stephens, who worked as a DJ and radio host.

The Waverley Rd neighbour said he hadn’t seen or heard anything suspicious coming from the man’s unit in the days leading up to the tragedy.
“The fact he was (allegedly) murdered is just awful, I guess not just for me but for everyone living here,” he said.
“I hope his family are okay, I wish them all the best during this grieving time.”

Mr Stephens’ alleged murderers yesterday had their matters mentioned in court, where the court heard how police believe the 48-year-old’s body was found five days after his alleged murder. 

Deputy Chief Magistrate Janelle Brassington said it was alleged the pair killed the Mr Stephens on Sunday, August 30, five days before a call was made to authorities after his body was found in a Waverley Street home on Thursday, September 3 around 3pm.

Police yesterday applied for a forensic procedure order for Small, who was compliant with the request.

Forensic procedure orders, depending on the conditions, can allow officers to take DNA evidence such as hair, saliva and blood.

Both Small and Gordon were arrested on Monday, following an investigation by Indooroopilly detectives assisted by Crime and Intelligence Command’s Homicide Investigation Unit.

The two men will next have the matter mentioned on September 28. 

They were yesterday unable to apply for bail in the Magistrates Court given the severity of the alleged offence.