Jeffrey Brooks shooting death: New inquest to be held into 1996 suspected murder of crayfish farmer

Within just minutes of arriving at the scene of a fatal shooting, police determined that a crayfish farmer and experienced hunter shot himself by accident while pulling a loaded shotgun from a car. Now, 25 years later, a fresh inquest will be held into his suspected murder.

A fresh inquest will be held early next year into the suspected murder of a Beenleigh crayfish farmer who was found shot dead 25 years ago.

The inquest into the death of Jeffrey Brooks follows a long campaign by his parents and The Courier-Mail’s explosive podcast investigation, Dead Wrong, into the True Crime mystery in 2018.

Mr Brooks, 24-year-old aquaculturist, was found dead in a vehicle at a Beenleigh crayfish farm on March 13, 1996.

LISTEN TO ALL SEVEN EPISODES OF THE DEAD WRONG PODCAST HERE

Within minutes of arriving, police determined that the newlywed, an experienced hunter, shot himself by accident while pulling a loaded shotgun from the car – barrel-first.

But an investigation by The Courier-Mail, which included the commissioning of ballistic tests, consultation with international forensic experts and tracking down and interviewing key witnesses, shed grave doubt on the police determination.

Jeffrey Brooks was found dead in a vehicle at a Beenleigh crayfish farm on March 13, 1996.

At an inquest in 1997, Coroner Trevor Anders delivered an open finding, saying Jeffrey’s death was either suspicious or an accident.

In November 2018, the-then Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath ordered the Jeffrey Brooks matter be brought back before the Coroners Court based on new information uncovered by the Dead Wrong investigation.

A toughening of the Coroners Act last year gave Mr Brooks’ elderly parents, Lawrie and Wendy, fresh hopes that their son’s death might be re-examined.

A fresh inquest has now been ordered and will be held from February 22 to 25.

A pre-inquest hearing on Thursday was told that the shotgun had been destroyed but a NSW police expert would conduct a review of the ballistics evidence.

The Beenleigh Crayfish Farm in the mid-90s. – Photo Supplied Copyright Unknown

Witnesses will include current Queensland police assistant commissioner Mike Condon who was a lead detective on the Brooks case.

Crayfish farm owner Hans Geiger is also expected to be called to give evidence.

The inquest, by Deputy State Coroner Jane Bentley, will probe factors including how Mr Brooks’ gunshot wound came to be identified, and the adequacy of the police investigation relating to the management of exhibits.

Jeffrey Brooks was killed by a shotgun which police at the time said was fired accidentally by him. PHOTO AAP/TIM MARSDEN

Speaking outside court, an emotional Mrs Brooks said she and her husband were ‘just glad the ball has started rolling’ on the second inquest.

“It’s been a long time coming … we’re just wanting justice for our son, he deserves it, she said.

The Brooks family are being represented by Peter Boyce, who acted for Bruce and Denise Morcombe.

“They’re extremely pleased that it may finally lead to justice for their son,” he said.

Last year, the Brooks’ told The Courier-Mail: “We have always known that Jeffrey could not have shot himself like the police said. We have never seen any justice, but hopefully now we will.’’

Originally published as Jeffrey Brooks shooting death: New inquest to be held into 1996 suspected murder of crayfish farmer