Palm Cove mystery death
POLICE are investigating whether the mystery death of a middle-aged man is linked to a rowdy party at Palm Cove jetty.
The man’s body was found washed up in a tidal creek at the northern end of the suburb’s esplanade about 8.30am yesterday.
An angler made the shocking discovery at the idyllic fishing and sunbathing spot.
"He was down in the water," Far Northern Regional Crime co-ordinator Det Insp John Hartwell said
Police last night said an autopsy had been completed but they were awaiting further test results and investigations were continuing.
They said the man was aged in his 50s and had been identified from fingerprints. His name has not been released.
While police had initially said the death was treated as suspicious, they later said the autopsy revealed the death did not involve foul play.
Police earlier refused to comment on whether there were any visible injuries that could explain how the man died. Tourists and residents of the nearby caravan park reported hearing a loud party from 10pm on Wednesday night.
"There was enough noise to wake you up," a woman, who asked to remain unnamed, said.
oise to wake you up," a woman, who asked to remain unnamed, said.Asked whether the gathering was connected to the death, Det Insp Hartwell said: "We’re investigating the cause of the death and the circumstances that may have led to the death and people who may have been in the vicinity at the time."
An ambulance was called to the jetty area about 2am yesterday but Det Insp Hartwell said that incident was not related to the man’s death.
Police declared the jetty area a crime scene, ordering anglers, beach-goers and campers to leave.
Forensic officers searched for clues in the carpark and along the foreshore near where the body was found.
A Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service ranger used a canoe to search the creek for evidence.
Police doorknocked caravans interview potential witnesses and try to determine the man’s identity.
But word of the body had already spread through the park.
"It’s very sad," a woman said.
Anyone with information on the death should call Cairns police on 4030 7000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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Shock discovery: Police search the scene around where a middle-aged man’s body was found by an angler.
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