UPDATE: A man found dead near a disused petrol cylinder at the Cairns Botanic Gardens may have been murdered, police confirmed at a press conference this afternoon.

The man, 56, went missing around 6pm on Sunday January 1 before being discovered on Collins Avenue in Edgehill last night.

Detective Acting Inspector Edward Kinbacher told reporters the incident was being treated as a murder investigation until they find evidence suggesting otherwise.

“The individual was suffering some injuries which caused some concern, but again it’s pending the outcome of the post-mortem whether those injuries are of any particular importance.”

“Police are most interested in his movements on the night of January 1 from about 6pm to about 6am on January 2.”

Police said the man, whose name has not been released, was originally from Melbourne. It’s believed the father of three had been in Cairns for about a year. His wife is also deceased.

EARLIER: Police are expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a man’s body near the Cairns Botanic Gardens yesterday.

At around 5pm on Tuesday, a member of the public called police after locating a body near Collins Avenue in Edge Hill. It is believed the body is that of a 56-year-old local man.

A crime scene has been established at the site and officers from the Cairns Criminal Investigation and Scenes of Crime attended to conduct preliminary enquiries. Forensic officers have also been busy at the scene, with Police expected to reveal more details today.


Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.