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Raymond Harris death: Witness describes harrowing scenes in Surfers Paradise

A witness to harrowing scenes in Surfers Paradise after the death of Raymond Harris has vowed never to set foot in the party precinct again. Here’s their account of what they saw.

A police vehicle blocking off a road after the incident.
A police vehicle blocking off a road after the incident.

A WITNESS to harrowing scenes in Surfers Paradise after the death of Raymond Harris has said they will “never set foot” in the party precinct again.

Mr Harris, 27, was allegedly stabbed to death in the heart of the party precinct shortly after 9pm on Wednesday night.

Two people, 21-year-old Jarod James Miller from Tinana and 18-year-old Jye Sebastian Webb-Italia from Pimpama, have both been charged with one count of murder and three counts of common assault in relation to the incident.

Cleo Jean, who witnessed harrowing scenes in Surfers Paradise after the death of Raymond Harris.
Cleo Jean, who witnessed harrowing scenes in Surfers Paradise after the death of Raymond Harris.
Police investigating at the scene.
Police investigating at the scene.

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Cleo Jean was sitting by the stairs at Timezone with friends when they noticed a group of distressed people surrounding Mr Harris, who was lying on the ground.

“Everyone’s saying, ‘he’s been stabbed’ and there was a girl standing right next to them with two guys,” Cleo said.

“Everyone’s just in shock, people are screaming out ‘call the ambulance’ but most people are just shocked, just standing there, silent.

“Some people were bawling their eyes out.”

Cleo said that when they approached the scene it appeared that Mr Harris was already deceased.

“I walked up like ‘has anyone called an ambulance or anything’ and I saw two girls were on the phone to the ambulance and the police,” Cleo said.

“We were all just sort of waiting around, there was nothing anyone could do. ... This guy was like when you get one of those puppets and sit it down limp, like a ragdoll. There was not a breath of life in him ... His eyes were open and rolled back and he was just gone instantly.”

Surfers Paradise stabbing victim Raymond Harris. Photo: Supplied
Surfers Paradise stabbing victim Raymond Harris. Photo: Supplied

Cleo said a friend of Mr Harris was distraught when he arrived at the scene and discovered what had happened.

“His mate must have been at Woolies or the toilet because he wasn’t there and he runs out and he’s like ‘what’s going on’ and he sees his mate on the floor and he just bolts and he’s screaming and yelling and swearing,” Cleo said.

“He asked what happened and someone told him and then he starts trying to run to go after the guy, to find the guys (the persons responsible).

“His mates were all holding him back.

“I think once he ran out and saw his mate and just lost it that kind of snapped everyone out of the shock and everyone started losing their s**t, like crying and screaming and holding each other and holding him back.”

Police investigators at the scene in Surfers Paradise.
Police investigators at the scene in Surfers Paradise.

Cleo added that when emergency services arrived it appeared there was nothing they could do for Mr Harris.

“There wasn’t any action, it was like they must have just known (he was dead).

“They (the police) just jogged over and got in the middle of the circle and tried to pull everyone away from him.

“All his mates were trying to get in, they were just broken.

“They were trying to stay close to him, stay by his side.

“The cops were just trying to push them off of him.

“There were just children and families around him crying.

“I spoke to one of the guys there and he said that a Christian family was singing gospel, trying to sing to God for him.

“It was intense.”

Cleo said she was a Surfers Paradise regular, but would not return after what she witnessed.

“I go to Surfers honestly almost every single day, I go alone, I go with friends, I go in the middle of the night and I have never been scared,” Cleo said.

“But after what happened last night, I am never setting foot in Surfers again.

“It’s not even the threat of something happening, it’s the fear of being triggered by seeing that scene again.”

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts/raymond-harris-death-witness-describes-harrowing-scenes-in-surfers-paradise/news-story/78b4056e6acbf85d9a62fc30819c3ad2