By Jessica McSweeney
The brother of a well-known northern beaches surfer who was killed in suspicious circumstances has called on his attackers to come forward.
Guy Haymes, known as “Creature” to his mates, was found about 5.45pm on February 27 after he was allegedly assaulted in a Pittwater Road unit.
Guy Haymes was a well-known surfer.Credit: Facebook
The 59-year-old had serious head injuries and was alive when police found him.
He was treated at Royal North Shore Hospital but died on March 15.
Guy’s brother, Mark Haymes, said his family was left with “an empty feeling” as the case remained unsolved.
“He was always willing to help those in need – he was a kind-hearted soul who wouldn’t hurt anyone,” he said.
Haymes was well known in the northern beaches and Wollongong.
“Our whole family is in shock and disbelief that he had his life cut short and in such a brutal way. Not knowing what happened that day and not having the answers is the hardest part.
“He loved to have a good time. He had a great sense of humour, was always looking at the fun side of life. Just a nice person.”
Mark Haymes said he was able to visit his brother while he was in hospital. Guy was able to open his eyes a couple of times but was unable to speak after the attack, and the family lost all hope of recovery before his eventual death.
Haymes was “fun-loving and sociable”, his brother said.Credit: Facebook
Haymes’ death has devastated surfing communities from Wollongong, where he competed in the Rip Curl Shield in the 1980s, to Avalon, where Haymes spent much of his youth and where he started competitive surfing.
An investigation has begun by the homicide squad under Strike Force Flat, police appealing for anyone with information that could help detectives track down Haymes’ attacker to come forward to northern beaches police.
Police said Haymes’ attacker was probably known to him, and that while the surfer lived locally, it was a friend’s flat that he was visiting at the time of the assault.
The alarm was raised by witnesses outside the unit at the time of the attack.
“The police will continue to investigate this until we resolve the matter, we will not leave any stone unturned and we will continue to follow every lead that we get,” Detective Superintendent Patrick Sharkey said.
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