Murder investigation launched after man fatally stabbed at Bayview Heights

A man remains in custody following a fatal stabbing in a quiet Cairns suburb overnight while police make a public appeal for witnesses to come forward.

Queensland Police have established a crime scene at a residence on Yara Street, Bayview Heights after a man was fatally stabbed overnight. Picture: Brendan Radke

A 63-year-old man remains in custody as police appeal for information after a man was fatally stabbed in a Cairns suburb overnight.

Police were called to a Yarra Street property in Bayview Heights around 3am on Tuesday where a 69-year-old man was found fatally stabbed.

Detective Acting Inspector Amanda Winterburn confirmed the two men were known to each other however she declined to answer questions about the weapon allegedly used and details about the victim’s injuries.

Detective Acting Inspector Amanda Winterburn speaks to the media about the stabbing death of a 69 year Cairns man in a domestic violence incident at a private residence in Yara Street, Bayview Heights. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We are treating this as a domestic and family violence incident,” Inspector Winterburn said.

“For privacy reasons, I’m not able to disclose the full nature of their relationship, and the background information regarding the nature of their relationship is still forming part of our investigation.

“It is still very early in our investigation and we are continuing to work through all the evidence to determine what has transpired.

“This is obviously a very difficult time for the family and we are providing all available support.”

Queensland Police forensic officers investigating the scene of a fatal stabbing at Yara Street, Bayview Heights. Picture: Brendan Radke

As of Tuesday afternoon police were yet to charge a 63-year-old man who is still assisting police with their inquiries.

Det Acting Inspector Winterburn urged members of the public to come forward with any information.

“If there are witnesses or anyone does have information that they contact police with that information,” she said.

Families living on the Cairns street where the man was stabbed have expressed their shock after waking up to a crime scene in the usually quiet neighbourhood.

A Queensland Police officer exits the crime scene on Yara Street, Bayview Heights with a bag of evidence. Picture: Brendan Radke

The incident began at about 3am on Tuesday when emergency crews responded to reports a man had been wounded.

When they arrived at the scene, police and ambulance officers found two men, both with stab wounds.

One man, aged 63, had a minor face laceration treated by paramedics.

Another man aged 69 was found with life-threatening injuries and died at the scene.

A murder investigation is now underway.

One Yara St resident said the street was often noisy due to traffic, but was otherwise a quiet area.

“People mind their business,” she said.

Another neighbour said “nothing like that” had ever happened on the street before.

A Queensland Police detective leaves the crime scene with a bag of evidence. Picture: Brendan Radke

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said the older man was assisting officers with their investigations.

Investigations are ongoing and there is no ongoing threat to the community, the spokeswoman said.

Councillor Cathy Zeiger, whose division includes Bayview Heights, said she was “absolutely shocked” at what had occurred.

“It’s such a beautiful area … things like that don’t happen here, not that I’d expect that anywhere in Cairns,” Ms Zeiger said.

A forensic officer at the scene. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It’s just horrible, all the residents would be shocked.

“My condolences to the family of the man that passed away.”

Mulgrave MP Terry James said he was “very sorry” to hear about the death.
“No one wants those sorts of things happening in the middle of suburbia,” Mr James said.

“To the family of those people that are affected – I feel for them.

“I just hope that everything can be resolved.

“It’s a very sorry state of affairs.”

Originally published as Murder investigation launched after man fatally stabbed at Bayview Heights