Body of Scott Billingham found in McCready’s creek, death under investigation

Less than 24 hours after his girlfriend’s emotional plea to the public for information, the body of a missing Qld dad has been recovered by police.

McCready’s Creek has been reopened to the public after Scott Billingham’s body was pulled from the water in the morning of March 21. Police have been searching for Scott Billingham for several days.

Forensic examiners have identified a body after it was found near a creek in Mackay on Thursday morning.

It belonged to North Mackay father Scott Billingham, missing since a day out drinking with friends on March 8.

The body was discovered at around 9:30am, and identified at 3pm.

Both came less than 24 hours after his girlfriend made an emotional plea for anyone who had information to come forward and help end the “nightmare”.

Kylie Gunters, who shares a child with Mr Billingham, said she loved and missed him and she was “not ever going to stop looking”.

“You just need to come home please,” she said through tears on Wednesday.

The 38-year-old father of three was last seen being dropped off to a shopping precinct along Emperor Dr in Andergrove about 5.20pm on March 8 after earlier drinking with friends at the Grove Tavern along Andergrove Rd.

Mackay Whitsunday Crime and Support Services Detective Inspector Emma Novose one of the Officers in Charge of the search, said divers had been deployed to search the waterway. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Mackay Whitsunday Crime and Support Services Detective Inspector Emma Novosel said divers had been searching the murky waters of McCready’s Creek on Thursday after taking measures to mitigate the risk of crocodiles.

The windy saltwater creek, which extends across several Mackay region suburbs, is thickly lined with mangroves.

It is understood the McCreedy's Creek was closed to the public on March 21, but was open by 1:30pm. Photo: Heidi Petith

It is understood emergency services had on Thursday morning blocked off the McCready’s Creek boat ramp off Aspley Rd to the public but as of 1.30pm, the scene was clear.

It is unknown whether the body of Scott Billingham was found on land or pulled from the water at this stage.

Emergency services, including SES personnel and an RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter crew, had earlier combed a 5km search zone looking for the father with no success.

Sergeant Eaton continues to ask members of the public to step forward if they have any information that could help inform their investigation and subsequent report for the coroner.

Originally published as Body of Scott Billingham found in McCready’s creek, death under investigation