New details revealed about Jessie Dean Buchanan, man accused of Ashmore murder

A man charged with killing another man at a Gold Coast home was celebrating a fresh start just weeks before the alleged murder. Read what we know about the accused.

An alleged murderer was proudly celebrating his heritage and a fresh start in 2023 only weeks before police claim he killed a Gold Coast man at his home.

Jessie Dean Buchanan has been charged with murder in relation to the death of Trevor Schneider, whose body was found at an Ashmore home on Sunday.

The 36-year-old is also charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and receiving tainted property.

Buchanan claimed during his first court appearance in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday that “weird things had been going on” since he moved to the Gold Coast several weeks earlier.

Jessie Dean Buchanan has been charged with murder in relation to the death of Trevor Schneider at Ashmore. Picture: Facebook / Jessie Dean Buchanan

He said he believed his identity and belongings had been stolen, and that he was staying awake for days at a time.

“I’m a good person - I’ve never harmed a fly,” Buchanan told the court.

Court records indicate Buchanan’s most recent permanent address was in Pakenham, a southeast suburb of Melbourne, Victoria.

Buchanan’s most recent social media posts were made in late January.

In a lengthy caption accompanying an image edited to include his own photo alongside several flags – including the national Maori and Chinese flags – Buchanan described being bullied for his lighter skin at school in New Zealand.

Jessie Dean Buchanan. Picture: Facebook/Jessie Dean Buchanan

“Mum would always tell me that I was special because I had so many nationaltys [sic], she said I was a mungrel [sic],” Buchanan wrote.

“I will always put myself in front of danger first, even for a stranger. It’s in my nature its [sic] a gift my parents gave me that makes me always keep my head up high even when at my lowest low.”

There has been a suspicious death at 21 Lillian Crescent. 12 February 2023 Ashmore Picture by Richard Gosling

He closed the post by writing “Bring on 2023, cause [sic] 2022 sucked!” in capital letters.

Buchanan has numerous former jobs listed on his Facebook page, from a former machine operator and glazier at a Victorian company to a sales assistant for Michael Hill Jeweller and driver at a Toyota factory.

He also claims to be the owner of a Nex Level Services. The business page has only one follower and no posts or descriptions.

Most of Buchanan’s other photos are shots with friends and family, natural locations, or selfies showing off his athletic build.

Jessie Dean Buchanan has been charged with murder in relation to the death of Trevor Schneider at Ashmore. Picture: Facebook / Jessie Dean Buchanan

According to his profile, Buchanan went to high school at Newlands College in Wellington before studying at Massey University in Palmerston North, both on New Zealand’s North Island.

He did not appear to have anyone supporting him in court on Monday.

Buchanan will be remanded in custody and is next due in court on March 7.