Giant killer croc on loose in Queensland, locals say

A fisherman was killed by a croc last year. Authorities say they got the animals involved, but locals tell a different story.

A Queensland business owner believes a 5m crocodile was responsible for killing a man, and is still on the loose.

The remains of fisherman Kevin Darmody were found in a 4m male croc and a 3m female croc, both shot at the North Kennedy River in Far North Queensland in May 2023.

The crocodiles were removed from the wild as part of the QLD Crocodile Management Plan.

But there have been reports that wildlife officers may have missed a 5m croc also involved in the attack.

Kennedy River at Lakefield crocodile attack victim Kevin Darmody.

Russell Bowman – owner of Lure Shop Tackleworld in Cooktown has been documenting sightings of a 5m croc known to frequent Kennedy Bend. He believes this croc attacked Darmody.

“We know they took out two crocs, but we still claim that the Department of Environment didn’t get the right one,” he told Cairns Post.

“We have seen this croc and he is a people hunter and we reckon that he is the one that took Kev the publican.”

Kennedy River at Lakefield. Picture: Police

A croc was spotted at the North Kennedy River on August 10, according to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation’s (DESI) crocodile sighting portal.

DESI said rangers killed all crocs involved in the fatal attack.

Mr Darmody was fishing with friends at Kennedy Bend in the Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park before he vanished.

The fisherman was taken by a crocodile after his friend reported hearing splashing sounds moments before he went missing.

News.com.au has contacted DESI for comment.