Two men charged with murder after Morayfield man found at abandoned quarry

Two men have been charged with the brutal stabbing murder of a 25-year-old, who police say “posed no threat to anyone”, after his body was located at an abandoned quarry on the Sunshine Coast.

Two men have been charged with murder after the body of a 25-year-old Morayfield man was located at an abandoned quarry.

Malahki “Jai” Gray was reported missing on June 4 after he was last seen at a Rupert Crescent, Morayfield address on May 28.

The body of Malahki Gray was found in an abandoned quarry on the Sunshine Coast.

Following extensive investigations, a homicide investigation was launched which led to the arrest of two men from Caboolture on June 11.

Dominic Alaeddin, 19 and Jordan Alexander MacDonald, 23, appeared before the Caboolture Magistrate Court on June 12, both charged with murder and misconduct with corpse by interfering.

Police divers at Glasshouse Mountains after searching an abandoned quarry at the bottom of Mount Ngungun where alleged murder victim’s body was found. Picture: Lachie Millard

It will be alleged Alaeddin and MacDonald lured Gray to a Glass House Mountains property where they stabbed him.

It will be alleged all three men were known to each other.

Mr Gray’s remains were located at an abandoned quarry near Mt Ngungun on June 11.

Detective Inspector David Harbison said police are investigating whether Mr Gray was killed over a “small debt”.

Detectives door knock houses near Rupert Terrace at Morayfield. Picture Lachie Millard

“Investigations reveal that Jai was lured to a location at Glass House where it is believed he was murdered on the evening of 28 May,” he said.

“Police allege Jai was stabbed multiple times by the two offenders that have been arrested for murder.

“This is a callous, brutal unprovoked attack on a young person who posed no threat to anyone.

“Police and Jai’s relatives are struggling to comprehend the unjustified actions of those persons responsible.”

Police at an address at Rupert Terrace at Morayfield where alleged murder victim 25 year old Malahki Gray was last seen. Picture Lachie Millard

Det Insp Harbison said the two men had been living “on and off” with Mr Gray in his Morayfield home.

“My understanding is they had been living in an informal arrangement with Jai for some time,” he said.

“You wouldn’t call them housemates. It’s Jai’s house and the other two were probably taking advantage of that and living on and off at that location at times.”

He said Mr Gray was a “well natured young man” and his death “(an allegedly) senseless act that reverberates through our tight little community”.

Det Inp Harbison said Mr Gray was last seen at his home on Rupert Cres in Morayfield on May 28 at 3pm.

He said the 25-year-old was reported missing to police on June 4, with Caboolture detectives, as well as missing persons investigators, commencing inquiries.

“It became evident Jai had not used his bank accounts or social media and fears were held for his safety,” he said.

He said Mr Gray’s disability carer and family members had provided investigators with “pivotal” information that resulted in the Rupert Cres home being declared a “missing persons crime scene” on June 8.

“Subsequently, four persons known to Jai were located and interviewed by police,” Det Insp Harbison said.

“A vehicle owned by one of those persons was also declared a missing person crime scene and seized.

“By 10 June, detectives were of the belief that Jai had met with foul play and formally commenced a homicide investigation.”

Neighbour Charlotte Herring wasn’t home on the night of Jai’s alleged murder but said cars regularly drive up their street late at night.

“We heard the helicopters earlier this week,” Mrs Herring said.

“We thought it might have been a climber (on Mt Ngungun).

“Then there was police which had blocked off the trail.”

The quarry is up a trail about 50m from the top of the street, lined with high fences the entire way around.

Police divers at Glasshouse mountains after searching an abandoned quarry at the bottom of Mt Ngungun. Picture: Lachie Millard

Police divers emerged from the quarry early in the afternoon after looking for weapons involved in the alleged murder.

Officers have since left the scene.

Det Insp Harbison said police received information that led them to an abandoned quarry in the Glass House Mountains where Mr Gray’s body was found on June 11.

He said a number of search warrants were executed around Caboolture and two men were arrested and charged with murder.

He said the other two men are assisting police with their inquiries but stressed there were “no other persons of interest outstanding and there is no further threat to the community”.

Detective Inspector David Harbison. Picture David Clark

“While the motive behind the murder is still under investigation, all parties involved were known to each other and police understand the motive may have stemmed from a dispute between parties, likely over a small debt,” Det Insp Harbison said.

“The persons had all been driving around in a vehicle and ended up at the Glass House Mountains location.

“There is no suggestion Jai knew what was going to happen to him.

“We (allege) it was a premeditated attack and that he was taken out there deliberately in this isolated area to attack him.

“There were five persons in the vehicle, including the victim … two of those persons have been charged with murder and two are still assisting police with their investigation.

“There’s no further charges expected at the moment.”

Earlier this week, his family told The Courier-Mail that his disappearance was “out of character”.

Police on scene at Stonehaven Lane where the body of the man had been dumped in an abandoned quarry.

Malahki’s father said a missing-person report was filed by the 25-year-old’s NDIS carer on June 4 with a second report filed by the family on June 5.

“[Malahki] always kept in touch with family … he was on a disability pension, under NDIS care,” Mr Gray’s father said.

Malahki Gray was also known as Malahki Davidson and Jai Gray.

His family issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon confirming his death.

“We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who shared, helped search and supported our family over the past 14 days during Jai/Malahki’s disappearance,” they said.

“It is with deep sadness that we inform you there is no longer a need to continue looking for Jai.

“We apologise to friends and family who we couldn’t reach directly, given how widely Jai’s missing posts have been shared.

“Please take this moment to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you.

“Hug them tighter, listen a little longer, be present, say ‘I love you’, take countless pictures together and cherish every second.

“We kindly ask for privacy during this incredibly difficult time as we grieve and try to heal.”

Mr Gray’s Morayfield home remains a crime scene more than two weeks after he was last seen at the address. Picture: Samantha Scott

Mr Gray’s Morayfield home remains a crime scene more than two weeks after he was last seen at the Rupert Crescent address.

A neighbour said she rarely spoke to the 25-year-old but that it was common for people to “come and go” from the property.

“It’s just shocking to hear that something like that has happened so close to home,” she said.

Police, including divers, were also on scene at Stonehaven Lane where the body of the man had allegedly been dumped in an abandoned quarry.

Officers were seen launching a drone at the end of the secluded and quiet street near bushland where a track leads to Mt Ngungun.

The small street has just a few homes and is surrounded by park and bushland.

The abandoned quarry at the base of the mountain used to be a popular swimming hole but has been closed and fenced off for many years.

The matters of Dominic Alaeddin, 19 and Jordan Alexander MacDonald, 23, were again mentioned in the Caboolture Magistrate Court on June 13.

Neither of the defendants appeared in person or on videolink.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Shannon Fox submitted that this murder case would need to be transferred to the Sunshine Coast.

“These alleged offences occurred in the Glass House Mountains, so perhaps it might be best to have it transferred to the Sunshine Coast,” Ms Fox said.

“That’s the instruction I have, they have to be heard in the Sunshine Coast jurisdiction and they have the DPP there as well.

“I’m in the court’s hands but that’s the instruction that I have.”

In response, Alaeddin’s lawyer Fiona Graham suggested the case had to remain in the Caboolture jurisdiction for now.

“Most of the detectives are Caboolture, a lot of the crime scene is Caboolture and Morayfield,” Ms Graham said.

“It’s certainly a cross-jurisdiction matter

“Obviously by the time it goes to trial it will potentially go up to Brisbane and there’s no Supreme Court at Maroochydore.”

Liesel Rogan was representing MacDonald.

Ms Fox requested a 10 week adjournment for a brief of evidence to be provided to the defence.

Magistrate Peter Hasted adjourned the matter to the Caboolture Magistrate Court on August 22, 2024.

A third man was also taken into custody but has been released without charge.

Originally published as Two men charged with murder after Morayfield man found at abandoned quarry