Strike Force Nakstone was created to investigate the alleged stabbing in a South Coast park earlier this year. Photo: NSW Police.
Police have seized items for forensic examination after two-day searches as they investigate an alleged fatal stabbing.
At about 2 am on 6 October, emergency services were called to East Street in Bega, on the NSW Far South Coast.
Officers attached to the South Coast Police District attended and found the body of a 43-year-old man in a park.
The following day, Chief Inspector Shane Jessep confirmed one man had been found dead with stab wounds, but pushed back on reports that a chainsaw was involved.
Another man, said to be 45 years old, was also taken to South East Regional Hospital in a stable condition. He has since been released from hospital.
Last Wednesday (12 November), the NSW State Emergency Service assisted South Coast Police District officers in searching for a knife.
Police believe this “double-edged dagger” was discarded shortly after the alleged stabbing. However, no knife was located.
After a tip-off from the public, NSW Police divers spent the past two days (17 and 18 November) searching a private property and the Glebe Wetlands on East Street in Bega.
Items were recovered at the first location and seized for forensic examination.
Earlier this month, Commander of South Coast Police District Superintendent Darren Brand gave the first major update on the investigation.
At the time, he said officers were carrying out various searches, had re-enacted the alleged incident and that two cars seized by police were still undergoing forensic testing.
Superintendent Brand also reassured the community that there was no evidence of wider concerns around their safety.
“It’s true, there has been a house fire in the vicinity of where the [alleged] homicide occurred, and we certainly haven’t ruled that out as being related.
“But at this stage, there’s nothing to suggest that the wider or broader community is at any risk.”
Anyone with information can contact Bega Police Station on (02) 6492 9999 or call Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or visiting Crime Stoppers’ website.
If this story has raised any issues for you, you can call Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call triple zero.
Really? More taxpayer money for what exactly? View