Palm Cove locals mourn loss of Michael Holmes after fatal stabbing

The identity of an 80-year-old man who was allegedly murdered in a waterfront Palm Cove apartment can now be revealed.

Michael Holmes died at his Palm Cove apartment on Tuesday, January 9. Police allege he was murdered. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

A lone black coffee sat at a table at a Palm Cove cafe on Thursday morning as friends of well-liked local Michael Holmes came to terms with his death.

Mr Holmes was among a group of regulars who met at Espresso and Co cafe on Williams Esplanade every morning and his friend Leslie Moore ordered a coffee in honour of Mr Holmes, whose presence was missed.

Kamerunga woman Catherine Mary Kelly, 58, has been charged with murder following the alleged stabbing death of Mr Holmes on Tuesday January 9.

Catherine Mary Kelly, 58, of Kamerunga has been charged with murder following the alleged stabbing death of Michael Holmes on January 9. Picture: Bronwyn Farr

Police were called to the Villa Paradiso apartment block on Williams Esplanade following an alleged serious assault about 10.50pm.

Police said in a statement Mr Holmes suffered multiple stab wounds and was taken to Cairns Hospital, where he died a short time later.

Ms Kelly was taken into custody at the scene.

Leslie Moore, a friend of Mr Holmes’, was one of many who was interviewed by police, said he left a black coffee for Mr Holmes at his regular spot in honour of him.

“He was a lovely man, pretty outgoing, he used to enjoy a beer at night,” Mr Moore said.

“He lost his wife four or five years ago.

“The next day a policeman stood there and asked if I knew Michael and he said unfortunately he passed away last night – this is terrible.”

The Cairns Post understands Mr Holmes lived alone.

Mr Moore said he came for coffee with other locals every day.

He said one of Mr Holmes’ friends had been unable to return to the cafe since the incident.

Police were called to the Villa Paradiso apartment complex on Williams Esplanade following an alleged serious assault about 10.50pm on Tuesday, January 9. Picture: Bronwyn Farr.

“He was a Collingwood supporter and I am a Carlton supporter so we used to banter,” he said.

“He was an Englishman and loved soccer, he would watch has much soccer as he could. And he was a big Labor supporter – if you said something nice about Margaret Thatcher he’d get stuck in to you.

“He was a very good man.”

A manager at the Villa Paradiso complex described Mr Holmes as a kind gentleman with a heart of gold.

“He was one of those guys who you would not find a single bad thing to say about him,” he said.

Ms Kelly first appeared in Cairns Magistrates Court on January 11, where a pathology report was ordered and she was remanded in custody.

Her next appearance is scheduled for March 22.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

Originally published as Palm Cove locals mourn loss of Michael Holmes after fatal stabbing