Tributes flow for Grant Howard after unexpected death on the Sunshine Coast

Friends and family have paid tribute to a ‘beautiful man’ following his death after a fight on a Sunshine Coast street.

Tributes to a “truly beautiful man” have been put forward by heartbroken friends and family after a Sunshine Coast father, book seller and avid bowler died unexpectedly.

Grant Howard, 49, died on Monday afternoon after police claimed there was altercation at a Deejay St home.

Messages of grief were published on social media, with Jeni Napper saying Mr Howard had a “welcoming smile” and was always up for a chat at the Duporth Book Exchange, which is owned by his parents.

Jess Sheldrick said he would be missed.

Club Maroochy Bowls Club addressed its members and friends to share the tragic news of Mr Howard’s passing.

Centrepoint Arcade book seller Grant Howard.

“It’s with a heavy heart to inform you all of the passing our great mate Grant (Surg) Howard,” the post read.

“R.I.P. Grant.”

Members soon showered the comments with tributes, reminiscing of his steady hands “like a surgeon on the green,” which earned him his nickname “Surg”.

Mark King Payne said Mr Howard would always have a laugh and say g’day.

Eddie Whiteside commented he was built like a stonemason but had hands like a surgeon.

“I will miss you my friend, you were always a gentleman to me and I hope you find peace,” he wrote.

Tim Parry wrote Mr Howard was an “absolute gem of a human”.

“RIP Grant, you are going to be missed, my mate,” he said.

“I have so many good memories and this is just so tragic.”

Police revealed on April 8 his 82-year-old father, David, was at the home when Mr Howard died.

A 47-year-old man heard the disturbance and attended the Deejay St property to render assistance.

Police say Grant died at the scene.

Police are now pleading for anyone with information to come forward.

Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch Officer in Charge Detective Senior Sergeant Robert Lowry told the media on Tuesday afternoon police were urging anyone with information to come forward after officers door knocked homes in the immediate area and confirmed there was no threat to public safety.

Grant Howard’s father David owns Duporth Book Exchange on Ocean St.

He said the incident had left the family and surrounding neighbours “distressed”.

The 47-year-old man, who attended the station to assist police, has since been released without being charged.

An autopsy will be conducted on Wednesday.

David is well known in the Sunshine Coast community as the owner of Duporth Book Exchange in Centrepoint Arcade on Ocean St.

A man has died in Deejay St, Maroochydore on April 7.

Neighbours have described the moments before emergency crews appeared at the home on the quiet street.

Deejay St resident Angie Windsor, said she heard yelling about 20 minutes before police arrived.

“We’ve heard yelling coming from down the road, brother, my niece and I, we went out to the front deck to see what was happening,” Ms Windsor said.

Deejay St neighbour Angie Windsor.

“About 20 minutes later we saw the police cars and the ambulance rock up.”

Ms Windsor said the street was normally very quiet and she had not heard anything come from the house in the past.

“It is pretty scary I suppose,” Ms Windsor said.

A video filmed by another neighbour also shows about five police cars and three ambulances were also called to the home.

Police said there was no threat to public safety.

A police investigation continues. No charges have been laid.

Originally published as Tributes flow for Grant Howard after unexpected death on the Sunshine Coast