Foul play ruled out in shooting death of Peter Stevens

New details in the investigation into the death of a man, who police allege was involved in a love triangle at the time, can be revealed.

Maryborough has been rocked by the sudden and potentially suspicious death of young father Peter James Stevens, whose body has been found near the Mary River at Granville.

Foul play has been ruled out as a possible cause of death after a man died of a gunshot wound at a Granville property last month.

Peter James Stevens was found in a “distressed state” at the property on Dundas St when police were called to the scene about 5.15am on April 29.

At the time, police said they would investigate whether a love triangle existed between Mr Stevens, and a 30-year-old woman and another man who were at the scene when he died.

Speaking to reporters at the time, Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield said any “personal, intimate” relationship between the three would be examined, as well as the “mechanism” of Mr Stevens’ injury.

Maryborough was rocked by the sudden death of young father Peter James Stevens, whose body has been found near the Mary River at Granville.

While it was initially alleged that Mr Stevens’ died by suicide, police have opened an investigation to determine whether that was the case.

Det Mansfield said police had received a triple-0 call and had responded to the address in Granville where Mr Stevens was found in an area near a caravan in a “distressed state … screaming for help”.

Describing the scene as “complex”, Det Insp Mansfield said police a homemade small .22 calibre firearm “made out of pipes” had been recovered about a metre from Mr Stevens’ body.

Police commenced CPR, Det Insp Mansfield said, and paramedics responded soon after, but Mr Stevens died at the scene.

An autopsy examination was set to be carried out to determine whether the death required further investigation.

But on Saturday, police confirmed that foul play had been ruled out and either self-harm or misadventure had been determined to have caused Mr Stevens’ death.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.

If this story has caused distress, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Originally published as Foul play ruled out in shooting death of Peter Stevens