Homicide probe after death of John Patrick Hackett at Mackay

The younger brother of a man police believed may have been murdered has choked back tears and looked towards heaven as he begged the public for help in finding the person responsible for the death. SEE THE VIDEO

Police are investigating the death of John Hackett after family members found his body in his Gold St home on November 9, 2024.

The siblings of a man allegedly found bashed to death in his home have made an emotional plea for public help as they remember him as a loving brother and friend who always put others before himself.

John Patrick Hackett was found dead inside his Gold St unit about 7.18am pm November 9 following a welfare check by his family who had been unable to make contact for several days.

Police declared a crime scene and have since started a homicide investigation after receiving extra information including results from a post mortem examination indicating evidence of an assault on the 67 year old.

Stephen Hackett this morning paid tribute for his brother saying, “John will forever be remember as a proud family man, loving brother, friend and valued member of his community, always putting others before himself.”

“He was heavily involved in the local community offering his time, support to Mackay Lions soccer club for many year,” Mr Hackett said.

John was a retired agronomist, also volunteered his time with the Salvation Army and was heavily involved with his family.

“The death of our beloved older brother has been devastating to us all,” Mr Hackett said.

“Today we are asking the public for help in finding the person who maybe responsible for our beautiful brother’s death.

“If there is anyone who has seen anything at all we urge you to please come forward with any information no matter how little, how small.”

As he offered his thanks to the public, Mr Hackett looked towards heaven as he again mentioned his beautiful brother.

An Investigation Centre has been established under Operation Whiskey Glen.

Police are investigating the death of John Hackett after family members found his body in his Gold St home on November 9, 2024.

Detective Acting Superintendent Emma Novosel said Criminal Investigation Branch detectives were calling from anyone on Gold St or in the area who may have seen any interaction or altercation between Mr Hackett and another person on the afternoon or evening of Tuesday November 5.

“This day may stand out for members of our community … (it) was Melbourne Cup Day,” Detective Superintendent Novosel said.

She revealed by November 6 John, who had lived alone at the address for a number of years, had suffered an injury and police believe there might have been an altercation the day before.

“So if anybody recalls seeing John or another person having an altercation in that area we would seek for them to come forward and provide information,” she said.

The family of Mackay man John Patrick Hackett, 67, make an emotional appeal for public help in a murder investigation after he was found in his Gold St unit following a welfare check.

Police had already spoken to multiple people as part of their investigation and Detective Superintendent Novosel said it was believed John was still alive on November 7.

CCTV footage also revealed up to 10 or 12 cars travelled down Gold street on November 5 and police are calling for those motorists to come forward especially if they have dashcam footage.

Detective Superintendent Novosel said the 67- year-old’s family had been unable to get in contact with him “which was out of character for John” prompting the welfare check where they sadly found him dead.

She said at this stage no sign any weapon had been used “we believe that John had been subject to some sort of assault” – there was so no sign of a break in.

“It appears that John had some injuries to him that needed further investigation,” she said.

Detective Superintendent Novosel said homicide investigations “take patience and are often very complex” and detectives wanted to obtain as much evidence as possible so they could forward with trying to establish what happened.

Anyone who may have information, CCTV or dashcam footage, particularly within the vicinity of Gold Street on November 5, is urged to contact police.

Originally published as Homicide probe after death of John Patrick Hackett at Mackay