Jackson Stacker inquest: North Coast cult query raised as family pleads for answers in Lismore court

A forensics expert has weighed in on the harrowing fate of a Melbourne man found dead in a Tweed paddock with a hunting knife lodged in his chest. Warning: Graphic.

Victorian man Jackson Stacker. Picture: Supplied

A forensics expert says it’s “possible” the scalp of a Melbourne man tragically found dead in a Tweed paddock with a hunting knife in his chest was cut from his head by force.

But Professor Noel Woodford, who examined Jackson Stacker’s body, believes it’s unlikely the 26-year-old was targeted as part of “human sacrifices” linked to rumoured “cults”.

Victorian man Jackson Stacker with his mother Sandey MacFarlane in April 2021.

“The wound was most likely self-inflicted, but I don’t exclude other possibilities,” he told the inquest into Mr Stacker’s 2021 death at Lismore Local Court on Tuesday.

“I’ve never seen a homicide case where the knife was left in the body … I have seen it in suicide cases.

“Self-inflicted stab wounds are in an accessible area, assault stab wounds involve defensive wounds on the forearms.”

Prof Woodford confirmed it was possible Mr Stacker could have suffered a stab wound to the neck not initially noticed due to decomposition.

Professor Noel Woodford. Picture: Andrew Henshaw/File

“A significant amount of force was used … skin is hard to penetrate,” he added.

Byron Bay police Detective Donna Tutt said she was not aware of “human sacrifices” or “cults”.

Speaking earlier, mum Sandey MacFarlane was not convinced her son took his own life, after his death was initially declared non-suspicious.

At one stage, Mr Stacker’s family left the room in distress.

Senior Counsel Assisting the Coroner Kirsten Edwards asked: “There have been rumours relating to human sacrifices.”

“Is the possible the scalp had been removed by force from Jackson’s body before decomposition?”

Prof Woodford replied: “It’s possible it could have occurred.”

Mr Stacker’s skeletal body was found laying face down under a tree at Pottsville in the Tweed Shire on August 25, 2021.

“Suicide or poor mental health have never been in our family,” Ms MacFarlane said.

“He never said ‘Mum I’m depressed’. There was no note or evidence to suggest it was suicide.

“I don’t believe my son would have taken his life, he had so much going on for him.

“We have a lot of questions. As a mother, (I can say) we are burning for those questions to be answered.”

Mr Stacker had been travelling in his Toyota Hiace van since 2020. Family reported him missing August 23 and they were contacted by a person wanting to buy the van abandoned at the Sleepy Hollow rest area on the Pacific Highway.

It emerged on Monday officers found Mr Stacker’s body in a field in an area known for psychedelic and illicit gold top, or “magic”, mushrooms.

Lismore Court House.

His face was down, he was covered in a fur coat and he had the 18cm blade protruding from him. The knife was found when he was turned over to be put in a body bag.

Mr Stacker’s scalp and dreadlocks were found separately to his body, some teeth were missing and his boots were also found nearby, though animal predation could be to blame.

The knife’s sheath was in the van and it has been determined he died of sharp chest trauma.

It’s thought Mr Stacker’s body may have been in the paddock some 40km north of Byron Bay for a month.

A phone, speaker and laptop were missing from the Toyota, as well as a Nikon camera, State Coroner Magistrate Teresa O’Sullivan heard.

The last time anyone spoke to Mr Stacker was on July 22, 2021, when he chatted to Ms MacFarlane by phone.

One of the signs placed at the rest area in 2021.

She told the inquest it seemed he was enjoying travelling. Mr Stacker was at friend John Winegarden’s house during the conversation and sounded rushed, Ms MacFarlane said.

“He had anxiety about needing to go … he briefly mentioned he lost his job,” she said.

A few days later, Ms MacFarlane sent $300 and wrote in a payment description “call me”. Mr Stacker did not respond.

“I’m not a panicky mother, but in my mind I was working through where he might be without telling others so I didn’t cause panic,” she said.

Police forensic teams were working in farmland (behind the fence) at the Sleepy Hollow rest area on the Pacific Hwy after Mr Stacker’s body was discovered.

“Every time I tried to call him it sounded like his phone had been switched off.”

Det Tutt was questioned why it took until 2022 for the case to turn into a strike force probe when there were multiple suspicious factors.

A lawyer for the family said Mr Stacker was found “in a paddock he didn’t have a personal connection to, his boots were far away from his body, there was a knife in his chest, a number of items that may not be linked to him, and the stabbing was an unusual way of suicide”.

Det Tutt said it was not initially confirmed as a self-harm incident, but was treated as such and then re-declared as suspicious in 2022.

“The first detective on the case maintained the view that he just didn’t know what had happened,” she said.

Limited information was available from crucial early investigations because the original investigator was on sick leave and could not be contacted, the inquest heard.

A blueberry vape was found close to Mr Stacker’s body, but it was not tested. Det Tutt said officers did not know what the device was at the time.

It was suggested a thorough search was not completed at the scene.

Main Beach at Byron Bay, which is a popular visitor hub on the North Coast. Picture: Savannah Pocock/Byron Shire News

Ms MacFarlane found a tooth under a leaf in 2022 and officers found finger bones in the area in 2023, the inquest heard.

Det Tutt rejected the suggestion and said factors including time, weather and cattle movement could have an impact.

On July 21, 2021 a nearby resident noticed a campfire at the tree the body was found under.

Matches were later found, but Det Tutt said there was no evidence of remains being burned.

She said it was possible a fox or wild dog interfered with remains.

Nimbin’s Mr Winegarden said Mr Stacker came to pick up tools and did not mention he lost his job.

“He was pissed about the whole Covid lockdown, he wasn’t happy he couldn’t do what he wanted to do,” he said.

Mr Winegarden said Mr Stacker visited again in the first week of August, but only stayed 10 minutes.

Flowers left at the rest area where the van was found. Picture: Javier Encalada/The Northern Star

“He looked a bit down. I offered him to stay … After he left I was thinking what the f--k was that about. That was strange,” he said.

“Jackson didn’t seem like himself, he seemed upset … he wasn’t happy-go-lucky Jackson … he was definitely quite depressed.

“I saw his van on the Nimbin Hook Ups (Discussion Board) Facebook page a few weeks later.”

Asked what date he saw the post, Mr Winegarden replied: “I can’t remember – too much weed, mate”.

Friend Mia Kieis, 25, of Sydney told the inquest she recalled a time Mr Stacker acted somewhat manic and expressed concerning thoughts.

She said he would occasionally experience low moods and had been particularly affected by a murder-suicide involving someone they knew.

No one has been charged. The inquest continues.