Man dies after alleged samurai sword attack

A man has been charged with murder after his stepfather, whose hand was allegedly cut off with a samurai sword, died in hospital.

A NSW man has been charged with murder after he allegedly cut off his stepfather’s hand with a samurai sword.

Police will allege a dispute occurred at a home in The Pines, southwest of Toowoomba, where the 56-year-old Grant David Peasley sustained a significant injury to his hand caused by a long-bladed weapon about 9.30pm on Sunday, April 2.

Mr Peasley was initially taken to Toowoomba Base Hospital in a critical condition but has since died from his injuries on Wednesday night.

Toowoomba detectives have charged Jayden Wade Doyle with murder. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Jayden Wade Doyle, who is accused of attacking the 56-year-old man, faced Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder, robbery, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and going armed to cause fear.

Toowoomba detectives have since upgraded the charge to murder (domestic violence offence) against the 25-year-old man, whose mother was in a relationship with Mr Peasley.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul McCusker said Mr Doyle had only been staying with his mother and stepfather for “several days” before the alleged attack.

“An unprovoked attack occurred as a result of the 25-year-old male demanding the car keys,” he said.

“He’d travelled from NSW to Queensland about four days before this and there was very little engagement with police before this.”

Police will allege the Dubbo man fled the scene and was found at a service station on Gore Highway at Captains Mountain, about 30km away from the house.

Sergeant McCusker said Mr Doyle’s mother was at the home at the time of the alleged attack but was uninjured.

He said she had run to a neighbour’s house for help, and they in turn called police.

“She’s going as best she can be, obviously it’s a very traumatic event,” Sergeant McCusker said.

“She’s assisted us throughout the inquiry.”

A post-mortem will now be undertaken as a full brief of evidence is prepared for the court.

A charge of grievous bodily harm against Mr Doyle was dropped by prosecutors on Wednesday.

He is expected to appear before Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with murder.

Originally published as Man dies after alleged samurai sword attack