Man charged over alleged stabbing murder of Christopher Gwin inside Conondale home, Sunshine Coast
Body is found after dinner guest didn’t show – another man is charged with murder and meddling with his corpse
- Christopher Gwin, 69, found dead in his home
- Police charge man, 68, with alleged stabbing murder
- The locals of Crystal Creek described Mr. Gwin as a “gentle” man
Police have charged a man with the alleged stabbing murder of a 69-year-old man after his lifeless body was discovered in a home when he was not at dinner.
Christopher Gwin, 69, was found dead just before 4pm on Saturday at his home on Kilcoy Lane in Conondale, about 100km north of Brisbane.
A concerned friend entered the property after Mr. Gwin was not seen in the close-knit Crystal Creek community for a few days and did not meet friends for a weekly dinner.
Police allege a 68-year-old man from Maroochydore, known to Mr Gwin, went to his home between 10am and 1pm on Thursday and allegedly stabbed him in an unprovoked attack.
Christopher Gwin, 69, (pictured) was found dead at his home on Kilcoy Lane in Conondale, about 100 km north of Brisbane. Police allege Mr Gwin was stabbed by someone he knew in an unprovoked attack
Police allege Mr Gwin was stabbed by the man and died shortly afterwards.
Detectives from the Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch arrested the 68-year-old man at 11am on Sunday.
By midnight, the man was charged with one count of murder and one count of interfering with a corpse.
Police have declared multiple crime scenes on the Sunshine Coast, including two vehicles and three properties.
Locals described Mr Gwin (pictured) as a ‘kind, gentle and peaceful’ man
Mr. Gwin was a former teacher’s assistant who lived in Crystal Waters for over 20 years.
Sunshine Coast Detective Inspector Christopher Toohey said Mr Gwin was a “loved” member of the community.
“Christopher is a beloved member of the Crystal Waters community who is shocked and saddened by his death,” said Toohey.
“His family have been notified and are shocked by the circumstances of his death.
He has been the victim of a violent crime… right now we are trying to sort through all parts of Chris’ life, we are speaking to all friends and relatives to help us.”
Tributes poured in for Mr Gwin, with locals describing him as a ‘kind, gentle and peaceful’ man.
Debra ‘Froggie’ Fogarty, a longtime resident of the town, said news of Mr Gwin’s death came as a shock and is devastating to the community.
“I’ve been here for over 20 years and Chris was here before me, so I’ve known him for a while,” Ms Fogarty said. The courier mail.
A 68-year-old man from Maroochydore has been charged with the alleged murder of Mr Gwin. Police have declared multiple crime scenes on the Sunshine Coast, including two vehicles and three properties (pictured, Mr Gwin’s property in Conondale)
“It’s quite a shock to all of us,” said Ms. Fogarty.
“He’s just a really gentle, harmless guy and for something so big to be this big here is kind of scary in our community.”
Anyone with dash cam or CCTV footage recorded in the vicinity of the Conondale estate in the past week is urged to come forward.
The 68-year-old was not granted bail and will appear before Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday.