Port Stephens: Man found shot dead in car at Salt Ash as police launch homicide investigation

Police have launched an investigation after a man’s body was found in a car at Port Stephens.

A homicide investigation is underway after a man was found shot dead in a car at Salt Ash on Sunday.

Emergency services were called to Hideaway Drive just before 1.45pm on Sunday after reports a vehicle had hit a tree.

Hideaway Drive has been blocked off and a homicide investigation launched at Salt Ash after a man's body was found in a car. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer

Paramedics and police rushed to the scene to find the man still inside the car with a gunshot wound to the head.

‘’The male driver of the Ford Ranger utility was found suffering a gunshot wound. He could not be revived and died at the scene. The man is yet to be formally identified,’’ a police statement said

‘’A crime scene has been established at Salt Ash and Masonite Road, Heatherbrae, after a second vehicle was located burnt out. Both will be examined by specialist forensic officers.’’

Detectives talk to Salt Ash residents after man's body was found in a car on Hideaway Drive. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer

Port Stephens-Hunter detectives - assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad - have established Strike Force Breve to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death, which is being treated as suspicious.

The semi-rural road, just a few hundred metres from Nelson Bay Rd, has been blocked off by police as investigations continue.

Police at the scene of a burnt out car near Heatherbrae, about 20km away from where the man‘s body was found in Salt Ash. A homicide investigation has been launched after the man was found dead with a head injury. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer

Police sources have confirmed they are treating the death as a murder.

A second scene, about 20km away off Masonite Rd near Heatherbrae, has also been cordoned off by police as detectives investigate whether a car found burnt out is linked to the Salt Ash crime scene.

Police at the scene of a burnt out car near Heatherbrae, about 20km away from where the man‘s body was found in Salt Ash. A homicide investigation has been launched after the man was found dead with a head injury. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer

Police have appealed for anyone with information or dashcam vision which may be able to assist investigators to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

More to come