Gold Coast crime: Alleged bikie Shane Ross dead in Gold Coast park after conviction for fraud

Police are probing a possible link between the “suspicious” death of an alleged bikie - recently convicted for a sophisticated car fraud – and a nearby fatal crash the same night.

GOLD Coast police are investigating any links between the “suspicious” death of alleged bikie Shane Ross at a Gold Coast park and a fatal crash the same night a few hundred metres away.

The body of an alleged bikie Shane Ross was found in a popular park yesterday afternoon.

Ross hadn’t been seen since his friend Cameron Martin died in a fatal car crash in Tallebudgera on Friday night.

Accused bikie Shane Ross.

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A large group of detectives combed through Martin Sheils Park where the body was found.

It’s understood police are treating the death as suspicious.

Ross, 36, was the founder of Monstr Clothing line who just six days ago narrowly avoided a full-time jail sentence after being convicted for his role in a sophisticated fraud operation.

Police suspected it had been funding organised crime across the country.

He was a major player in the criminal syndicate which sourced luxury cars from across NSW and Queensland.

Police at Martin Sheils Park in Burleigh Heads following the discovery of the body of alleged bikie Shane Ross.

The body was found around 1.30pm yesterday, in bushland on the corner of the Pacific Motorway and Tallebudgera Creek Road.

Speaking to the media at the crime scene Acting Superintendent Brendan Smith said police are investigating possible links to Martin’s death.

A small tribute to Martin has been erected at the site, surrounded by a few cans of Jack Daniels.

“We are certainly investigating a link,” Supt Smith said.

“I can say who we believe this person is and the victim of the fatal are friends and were seen together on Friday.”

Both men were last seen together at a licensed premises in Pimpama, just hours before the crash.

Officers at the scene.

“That is certainly one line of inquiry we are going to run out — it would be coincidental if both incidents aren’t connected,” he said.

Police have confirmed the body, believed to be that of Mr Ross, sustained significant injuries to the back of his head, which are not believed to be self-inflicted.

The cause of the injuries is not known, however police have spoken to a number of witnesses who reporting hearing gunshots on Friday evening.

“We are treating it as suspicious, injuries to the body would indicate it is not natural causes,” Acting Superintendent Smith said.

The body, which is yet to be moved from the site, was found in the tall grass near the bridge at the pacific motorway crossing.

A police forensics facility at the scene where the body of alleged bikie Shane Ross was found.

Police believe the body has been at the scene for a few days.

Ross was reported missing yesterday.

“Obviously some sort of altercation has occurred, as a result someone is deceased,” Supt Smith said.

“It is a tragic set of circumstances, we would like to get to the bottom of it as soon as possible and should someone else be involved we would like to bring it forward as soon as possible.”

Supt Smith said the victim was known to police and had bikie connections.

Detectives at the scene.

“Certainly this gentleman is a member of the Comanchero,” Supt Smith said.

“Bikie lifestyle carries its own risk.

“Anyone who thinks a bikie is a motorcycle enthusiast is kidding themselves – they are criminals and criminal behaviour is hazardous.”

The victim’s family have been notified of the death.

Forensics are at the scene. Picture Glenn Hampson

A crime scene has been established and the investigation is focused on a site underneath the Pacific motorway near the water.

A woman who lives close to the area had told the media and police officers that on Friday evening she heard two bursts of what she believed to be gun shots.

Shortly after she heard sirens rushing to the area.

“It was two successions, like bang, bang, bang, and then again,” the woman told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

“We heard ambulances rush past. I said to my husband that sounded like gun shots.

“We then thought it was from the crash – it was all the same time.

Police are investigating the link between Ross’ death and a crash on Friday night. Picture Glenn Hampson

“I was driving home from work, I saw the police and thought I should tell them.”

The woman who had lived in the area for two decades said she is “shaken”.

“I couldn’t believe it.”

Resident Paul Jones, who walked through the area earlier this morning to take his sons to school, said he is shocked.

“I saw two officers down here this morning under the bridge, there was a number plate in the bushes near them,” Mr Jones said.

“Crime like this is always disconcerting.

“We have always felt very safe in this area.”

Monstr Clothing founder and accused bikie Shane Ross outside court last week.

In court, revelations about the sophisticated fraud operation involving Ross included that bogus documents were used to secure loans for a fleet of luxury vehicles, including Mercedes Benz AMG, Holden Commodore GTS and Holden HSV Club Sport, before onselling them for profit.

Pay slips, rates notices and driver’s licences were created for non-existent people, ripping off financial institutions by about $4.5 million since 2014, police allege.