Police find clothing item in Caloundra landfill after Conondale alleged murder
A two-day search of a Sunshine Coast tip has turned up a key item of clothing as police investigate a possible motive for ex-teacher aide Chris Gwin’s violent alleged murder.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Detectives are investigating a possible motive which has emerged for the alleged violent murder and mutilation of ex-teacher aide Chris Gwin after a two-day landfill search ended with a key find for investigators.
Mr Gwin, 69, was allegedly stabbed to death at his Conondale home on May 11, but his body was not found until May 13.
Maroochydore man Paul Anthony Coughlan, 68, remains in custody after he was charged with Mr Gwin’s murder and interfering with his corpse, with police alleging Mr Gwin’s body was mutilated after his violent death.
Criminal Investigation Branch officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield said the police and SES search of the Caloundra Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre which started on Thursday, May 18, on Pierce Ave, finished on the afternoon of Friday, May 19, with a key find.
“We’ve located one item of interest to us,” Sergeant Mansfield said.
“We have to get subsequent testing on it and it’s an item of clothing.”
Sergeant Mansfield said the clothing was found under nearly 2m of other rubbish and it would take between three and six months for the completion of forensic testing on it.
Detectives are also investigating whether a dispute over scuba equipment could be related to the death of Mr Gwin.
Anyone with any information about the alleged murder should come forward via Policelink or Crime Stoppers.
Mr Coughlan’s court matters were adjourned until August 18 for committal mention.
More Coverage
Originally published as Police find clothing item in Caloundra landfill after Conondale alleged murder
Woolies speedster takes selfie-style vid doing 110 in 50 zone before crash
A court has heard how a young Woolies worker crashed his car just moments after he filmed himself ‘ripping up the streets’ by going 110km/h in a 50km/h zone.
Your ultimate guide to every gun club in Queensland
A new public shooting gallery catering to unlicensed shooters as young as 11 has opened as firearm sports experience a surge in popularity. See our exclusive list of all gun clubs in Queensland.
Toxic Instagram pages fuel cyber-bullying, schoolyard fight fears
Dozens of social media pages have emerged encouraging users to send in photos and fight videos of Queensland school children so they can be publicly bullied, in a worrying rise of cyber-bullying.
Wannabe influencer accused of supplying, possessing drugs
A young woman with thousands of followers on social media has been charged with several drug offences including supply and possession.
Buggy stealer’s $28k furniture heist before crazed beach caper
A Brisbane man who went viral on social media after he crashed a stolen lifeguard beach buggy on the Sunshine Coast had also been involved in a $28,000 store break in.
Developer set for court clash with council over supermarket rejection
A developer will take Sunshine Coast council to court after his application to build a suburb’s first supermarket was rejected despite desperate pleas from residents to give it the tick.