Police launch murder probe, offer reward after Coffs Harbour man Duncan Campbell, 58, found dead

Detectives are now treating a missing man’s death as a homicide after the Coffs Harbour grandfather who had fallen on hard times was “brutally bashed and murdered”, police say.

Coffs Clarence Command Detective Jo Schultz with Commander of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, announcing the $500,000 reward for information on Duncan Campbell's murder.

Detectives are now treating a missing man’s death as a homicide after the Coffs Harbour grandfather who had fallen on hard times was “brutally bashed and murdered”, police say.

State Crime Command Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said on Tuesday the death of ex-tradesman Duncan Campbell, 58, was initially treated as non-suspicious.

Mr Campbell’s body was found in bushland on City Hill off John Champion Way near where he had been camping on February 12 last year.

At the time of the corpse being discovered, high humidity and decomposition had been in a factor in the police initially believing there was no foul play at hand.

However, detailed tests later revealed Mr Campbell was “brutally bashed and murdered”, Det Supt Doherty told media on Tuesday.

A reward of half a million dollars has been issued for information related to Duncan Campbell's murder in Coffs Harbour.

Doherty described Mr Campbell as an “honest and hardworking man who had fallen on hard times”.

“He was a vulnerable man who wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Det Supt Doherty said.

An abandoned campsite gathering at the base of City Hill near where Duncan Campbell's body was located in Coffs Harbour.

Police have established Strikeforce Belinda to probe Mr Campbell’s murder and announced a $500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect.

Jo Schultz, Coffs Clarence Command

Coffs Clarence Command Detective Jo Schultz said the homeless community was “particularly vulnerable” to danger.

“With any vulnerable people they are more at risk of serious crime or other incidences happening,” she said.

When asked if police were investigating possible links between Queensland grandmother Wendy Hansen – whose remains were discovered at a Coffs Harbour beach just weeks after Mr Campbell was found – Det Schultz said it was not a current line of enquiry.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Originally published as Police launch murder probe, offer reward after Coffs Harbour man Duncan Campbell, 58, found dead