Deer hunters linked to Jamieson father of two Bryce Airs’ death
A PACK of illegal deer hunters have been identified as key suspects in a horror hit-run which killed a father of two, with the Jamieson tradie’s last words central to the police probe.
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EXCLUSIVE: A PACK of illegal deer hunters have been identified as key suspects in a horror hit-run which killed a father of two.
It can be revealed that Bryce Airs’ last words — “I’ve been hit by lightning” — muttered to a passer-by who came to his aid, are central to the police probe.
Victoria Police detective Inspector Stuart McGregor said this was viewed as a vital clue.
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Illegal hunters drive without their lights on looking for deer, and when they spot the animal, they turn on all the hunting lights to stun the deer, then shoot and kill it.
“It may be that these guys were driving without lights at the time, lights may have come on and that’s why he was saying he may have been hit by lightning and also mentioned a car,” he said.
“Just to leave him on the side of the road dying — it takes someone without a heart and without any morals.”
The Major Collision Investigation Unit is also investigating if the crime scene where the Jamieson tradie was left for dead was tampered with as there was no debris, damage to the car and nothing of the vehicle left behind in an attempt to cover up tracks.
The Herald Sun can reveal police are now investigating whether the 4WD that struck Mr Airs on Mansfield-Woods Point Rd on November 25 last year, was driven without lights on as the group of hunters were searching for deer.
Mr Airs’ sister Corina Stuchbree urged the culprits to turn themselves in.
“I don’t understand how they can carry on with everyday life as if nothing has happened knowing what they did,” she told the Herald Sun.
“Have a heart and come forward,”
Ms Stuchbree said her brother’s death had a “big impact” on the family.
While his daughters knew their loving father was no longer alive, she could not find the words to explain why.
“I avoid referring to this and just talk about everyday life,” she said.
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Police were also following leads the person responsible for the death lives or has property in the area.
Investigators have interviewed some members of a local hunting group and have concerns about the veracity of what they told police about their involvement in the incident.
Inspector McGregor said Mr Airs was hit next to Matthews Reserve where there were reports of a large stag.
“There was a small rogue group of hunters that break the law and were hunting that night,” he said.
“To leave him on the side of the road when you know you have hit a human being and he obviously sustained significant injuries, just to leave him on the side of the road dying — it takes someone without a heart and without any morals.”
Autopsy results revealed Mr Airs was standing when he was hit from behind and the injuries were consistent with being mown down by a 4WD with a bull bar.
He suffered significant internal injuries and died at the scene in the back of an ambulance.
Police said the area where Mr Airs died — 1km from his home — was remote with not many cars, except for the illegal hunters.
“It’s all consistent with these illegal hunters being out on the road,” Insp McGregor said.
Police interviewed patrons who were at Jamieson’s Courthouse Hotel, where Mr Airs was drinking before being found at 12.12am, and tracked where they went and at what time, but did not find any persons of interest.
“Someone out there knows this group and possibly has information about the conversations that have been had about this particular collision and we are urging them to come forward,” he said.
“We also want to give those people involved in this illegal activity, a warning that if you think that you can provide us with any information or a statement that might not be truthful, then they can wear those consequences.”
