Investigations underway as Adam Marriott, 21, dies in Coomera house fire as ex-partner Glen Tipler assists police
A Gold Coast man who died in a suspicious house fire is being remembered as a budding young artist, as his ex-boyfriend remains in hospital under police guard.
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GOLD Coast house fire victim Adam Marriott is being remembered as a budding young artist in the wake of his sudden death, as heartbroken loved ones try to make sense of the tragedy.
Mr Marriott, 21, was found dead inside ex-partner Glen Tipler’s Liechhardt St rental property at Coomera late Wednesday evening after fire crews responded to reports of a house fire.
Tradie and keen storm chaser, Mr Tipler, 38, is now assisting police with inquiries.
Police say Mr Tipler left the property about the same time fire broke out just before 11pm Wednesday, driving his blue Holden Commodore ute to a work colleague’s home at Sheldon in Redland, south of Brisbane.
Paramedics were called to the Sheldon address little more than an hour later to treat Mr Tipler for significant burns to his face and limbs before being taken into police custody.
Childhood friend Jaylee Irwin wrote alongside a piece of art believed to be Mr Marriott’s: “Just one of the many pictures you drew that you were so so proud of,” she said.
“He was very talented and one of the most kindest souls I’ve known.”
Julian Jaguar described the young mam, originally from Wyong in New South Wales according to his social media, as a “sweet sweet soul.”
The home at Coomera today remains a crime scene as detectives comb for any indication about the events leading up to Mr Marriott’s death.
Police are investigating a Facebook post in which Mr Tipler complained about a “f---ing narcissist dog in my life that thought they could try and use me again and get away with it.”
Mr Tipler remains under police guard at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
No charges have been laid.
Stormchaser probed over mate’s death in suspicious house fire
February 11: Police are investigating how a midweek home visit between two mates left one dead and the other in hospital with significant burns to his face and limbs.
A 21-year-old man was found dead inside a burning townhouse in Leichhardt St, Coomera about 11pm Wednesday. He had gone to visit his friend Glen Tipler, 39.
Mr Tipler would be found in Redland Bay hours after emergency crews had doused the blaze in his Gold Coast home. It is believed he had driven north in a blue ute after the fire started.
Detective Acting Inspector Mark Procter said there was no history of violence between the pair, who were “well known” to each other.
“They are certainly good friends and they’re seen in places together which could suggest that (they were in a relationship), but we don’t know that,” he said.
Firefighters in breathing gear forced their way into the two-storey home and tracked down the blaze. Early indications suggest it started in the main living area.
“We don’t know if something ignited it,” Det Act Insp Proctor said.
The fire was contained to inside the townhouse.
Police say Mr Tipler, a self-employed roofer and keen stormchaser, drove a blue Holden Commodore utility to the home of a work colleague in Sheldon, Redland Bay, while he was injured.
“Approximately an hour later another person attended an address in Redland Bay – a work colleague’s house – and spoke to occupants of that address where it was noticed that man had also suffered burns to his hands,” Det Act Proctor said.
“QAS (Queensland Ambulance Service) were called to that address and that person was subsequently taken into police custody.”
He was treated for significant burns to his face and limbs at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Police are investigating the pair’s movements and motives in the lead up to the blaze, including a recent Facebook post in which Mr Tipler complained about a “f---ing narcissist dog in my life that thought they could try and use me again and get away with it”.
It is understood the 21-year-old lived nearby.
Det Act Proctor said there were no “obvious links” to indicate it was a bikie-related incident.
Police confirm a 21 y.o man died in the suspicious house fire at Coomera @GCBulletinpic.twitter.com/mNNl36WGFk
— Kaitlyn Smith (@kaitlynsmthnews) February 10, 2022
He dismissed reports of a possible shooting: “Smoke inhalation and burns, it’s an obvious cause of death, but that is subject to a post mortem.
“The home wasn’t as badly damaged as expected.
“Burns are horrific for everyone involved. He was very severely burned.”
Detectives doorknocked through the area on Thursday while forensic investigators scoured through the home, piecing together the final moments of the young man’s life.
Neighbours said the death had rocked the usually quiet suburban street.
Aaron Withers, who has lived on the street for about two years, said he was woken by a “loud bang” he believed to be fireworks.
“I’ve come down and had a look and there were sirens blasting. I think fireys came on the scene first,” he said.
“I actually heard maybe a couple of people yelling a couple minutes after it, but I thought it was just a drunken fight or something.
Another neighbour, Vicki Hunt said she was “absolutely shocked” to hear about the death.
“This area here and this street is so quiet,” she said.
“I’ve been here over seven years.
“I’ve never seen the gentleman before. He’s very, very quiet.”
The blue ute has been located, but police are calling on anyone who saw anything suspicious or the vehicle driving erratically to come forward.
Know more? Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Victim of deadly house fire, suspect ‘well known’ to each other
January 10: Neighbours have spoken out as police and fire investigators probe a “suspicious” blaze in a Gold Coast home after a man was found dead inside the property.
A second man who suffered significant burns to his face and limbs has been speaking to police and assisting with inquiries.
The pair were “well known” to each other and may have in a relationship, according to Queensland Police Service.
Detective Acting Inspector Mark Procter said at a press conference there was no history of violence between the men prior to Wednesday evening.
“They are certainly good friends and they’re seen in places together which could suggest that (they were in a relationship) but we don’t know that,” he said.
The younger man, from Coomera, was located dead by fire crews inside the living room area of the Leichhardt Steet, Coomera property about 11pm.
It is understood the victim was visiting the older man, who lived at the home.
There were no other obvious external injuries to the victim and police believe smoke inhalation and burns were the primary cause of death.
“The home wasn’t as badly damaged as expected,” he said.
“Smoke inhalation and burns, it’s an obvious cause of death but that is subject to a post mortem.”
Det Act Insp Proctor said police believe the man did not die prior to the blaze.
He dismissed reports of a possible shooting.
Police confirm a 21 y.o man died in the suspicious house fire at Coomera @GCBulletinpic.twitter.com/mNNl36WGFk
— Kaitlyn Smith (@kaitlynsmthnews) February 10, 2022
“Burns are horrific for everyone involved. He was very severely burned,” he said.
Police allege the 39-year-old man drove a blue Holden Commodore utility from the address to the home of a work colleague in Redland Bay while he was injured.
“Approximately an hour later another person attended a Sheldon property – a work colleagues house – and spoke to occupants of that address where it was noticed that man had also suffered burns to his hands,” Det Act Proctor said.
“QAS (Queensland Ambulance Service) were called to that address and that person was subsequently taken into police custody.”
Police are investigating the pairs’ movements prior to the fire.
Det Act Proctor said where was no “obvious links” to indicate it was a bikie-related incident.
Earlier, it was reported emergency services were called to the fire at the townhouse in the northern Coast suburb after smoke was seen coming from the two-storey brick building, and alarms were sounding.
Firefighters in breathing gear forced their way into the smoke logged property and tracked down the blaze, a Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) spokeswoman said.
That’s when the body of the 21-year-old man was discovered.
The fire, which seemingly began in the kitchen, was quickly extinguished.
Police officers have been awaiting the results of an autopsy to confirm the cause of death.
A crime scene was set up at the property on Thursday morning.
The older man was assisting police with inquiries while being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
He was found at the Sheldon, Redland Bay address (in the Brisbane metropolitan area) and taken to hospital under police guard.
The QFES Fire Investigation Unit has been at the Coomera address, assisting police officers in their investigations.
Emergency services have not been able to say how the fire began.
“We don’t know, if something ignited it or was used, that’s what they’re trying to determine,” Det Act Insp Proctor said.
The fire was contained to the townhouse.
Neighbour Aaron Withers said he was asleep in bed late on Wednesday evening when he was woken by a “loud bang” that he believed to be fireworks.
“I’ve come down and had a look and there were sirens blasting, I think fireys came on the scene first,” he said.
“I actually heard maybe a couple of people yelling a couple minutes after it but I thought it was just a drunken fight or something.”
Detectives have been seen doorknocking and speaking with residents in the area.
Mr Withers, a resident of the street for about two years, said: “We’re pretty tight knitted (sic) here in the neighbourhood, we know everyone and we’ve never really seen him.”
“He never really came outside. He might have just worked inside,” he said.
Another neighbour Vicki Hunt said she was “absolutely shocked” to hear about the incident.
“This area here and this street is so quiet,” she said.
“This is the first thing I’ve ever heard of I’ve been here over seven years.”
“I’ve never seen the gentleman before. He’s very very quiet.”
QAS paramedics were called to the Coomera ahome and assessed one man with critical injuries, but he was not taken to hospital, a spokeswoman said.
The blue ute has been located but police are calling on anyone who saw anything suspicious or the vehicle driving erratically to come forward.
Know more? Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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