Police ramp up Mackay man John Hackett suspicious death investigation

Detectives are pushing for more people to come forward as the investigation into the suspicious death of Mackay man John Hackett ramps up.

Police are investigating the death of John Hackett after family members found his body in his Gold St home on November 9, 2024.

Detectives are pushing for more witnesses to come forward as the investigation into the suspicious death of Mackay man John Hackett enters its 11th week.

This comes two weeks after police released new footage of Mr Hackett inside a Mackay pub in the days before his death.

Mr Hackett was found dead inside his Gold St unit about 7.18am pm November 9 following a welfare check by his family who had been unable to make contact for several days.

Police declared a crime scene and opened a homicide investigation after receiving extra information including results from a post mortem examination indicating evidence of an assault on the 67 year old.

A homicide investigation has entered it's third month after John Patrick Hackett was found dead inside his Gold St unit about 7.18am pm November 9. Photo: QPS Media

Police believe Mr Hackett, who was still alive on November 7, may have been attacked on Melbourne Cup Day and in 2024 released CCTV footage of him at a nearby foodstore in the hopes it might spark someone’s memory.

On January 8 police released further footage of Mr Hackett at the Shamrock Hotel on Nebo Rd for a family function on November 6 in the hope member of the public would might have engaged with him would come forward.

Detective Inspector Emma Novosel has said, “Investigations like this are protracted and complex.” 

This morning police put out a further appeal for information with investigating detectives calling to speak with anyone who may have witnessed or has dashcam footage or CCTV within the Gold Street vicinity on the morning of November 6, 2024.

Detectives continue to urge anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

Originally published as Police ramp up Mackay man John Hackett suspicious death investigation