Crime scene declared after man found dead in yard in Dolphin Heads

Police say there has been a ‘significant amount of work’ done by investigators after a man was found dead in the yard of the up-market Mackay home. LATEST

A crime scene has been declared after a 56-year-old man was found dead in the yard of an Ian Wood Dr home at Dolphin Heads on Thursday July 17, 2025. Picture: Fergus Gregg

Police say they are still trying to determine how a man who was found dead in the yard of the up-market Mackay home died.

“There's been a significant amount of work at that scene,’’ Supt Dean Cavanagh told media on Monday morning.

“Our Criminal Investigation Teams, our forensic teams are going through, just to try and find out exactly what has occurred.

“There will be further examinations conducted today, and then hopefully we'll know more information tomorrow.

Further investigations will include medical examinations.

Supt Cavanagh said there would be reviews to ensure ‘every stone is unturned’ before police determined further steps.

Mackay-based emergency services were called to an Ian Wood Drive home in Dolphins Head at 3.12pm on Thursday following a welfare check request.

The 56-year-old man was found non-responsive in the yard of the property and declared dead at the scene.

Police set up a crime scene at the home with forensic police in full body suits seen there on Friday gathering evidence as part of the investigation.

Detectives were waiting for the results of a post-mortem into his death to how he may have died.

The luxury oceanfront four-bedroom home on a secluded 2883m² property sold for $1.1 million in 2021.

Since then property values have risen considerably.

A 56-year-old man was found dead in the yard of an Ian Wood Dr home at Dolphin Heads. Picture: NewsWire/ Michaela Harlow

Forensic police at the scene of the property where a man was found dead. Picture: NewsWire/ Michaela Harlow

A crime scene has been declared after a 56-year-old man was found dead in the yard of an Ian Wood Dr home at Dolphin Heads. Picture: NewsWire/ Michaela Harlow

Police gather evidence at the scene of where a man was found dead. Picture: NewsWire/ Michaela Harlow

A crime scene has been declared after a 56-year-old man was found dead in the yard of an Ian Wood Dr home at Dolphin Heads on Thursday July 17, 2025. Picture: Fergus Gregg

It comes just days after a 57-year-old man was found dead in his front yard of a beachfront home on the Sunshine Coast, though there is no suggestion the two deaths are related.

The wife of Zdravko ‘Zed’ Bilic paid tribute to her husband saying he was her “everything” following his shock death.

Police are investigating after the body of a man in his 50s was found in the yard of Ian Wood Drive at Dolphin Heads. Pictures: RP Data

Mr Bilic was found dead by a neighbour outside his home on Napalle St in Warana on Monday night, with two stab wounds to his abdomen.

The well-loved soccer coach owned the multimillion-dollar beachside home with his wife, skincare entrepreneur Gry Susann Tomte.

Ms Tomte broke her silence on his death with a heartfelt post on Instagram.

She said there was no way she would be able to capture the immense grief after losing her husband, who had been in her life for nearly 30 years.

“He was my everything.’’

Two teenagers have been charged with murder after police allege they were involved in a violent break-in.

This publication revealed the 15-year-old and 17-year-old boys are known to police and the Department of Child Safety.

Police will allege the teenagers fatally stabbed Mr Bilic while trying to break into his Warana home, before allegedly leaving him on the front lawn to die.

Police are expected to release more details about the latest Mackay death on Friday.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the police.

Crime Stoppers can be contacted on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Crime scene declared after man found dead in yard in Dolphin Heads