Three men and one woman have been arrested. Photo: NSW Police.
UPDATE November 20, 2 pm: Police have described four arrests as a major step in their “really complex” investigation.
South Coast Police District Acting Crime Manager Detective Acting Inspector Luke Walshe said the four people (three men, aged 32, 34 and 29, and a 19-year-old woman) were expected to face court on late Thursday afternoon (20 November).
He said that while the four haven’t been charged, police are expected to allege that they were “involved together in the incident”.
Detective Acting Inspector Walshe said that a firearm, electronic devices and other items were seized during the search warrants, while a dagger that police had searched for was still missing.
“At this point, I can confirm that the knife that we believe was used hasn’t been found.”
Detective Acting Inspector Walshe also thanked the public for their help in the investigation.
“We receive a lot of information from them and we’re obviously grateful to the local Bega community that’s provided that information.
“It’s something that our investigators follow up. I’d urge anyone – If they have any further information, no matter how small – to get in touch with us.”
He also said there could be further arrests, with investigations under Strike Force Nakstone continuing.
“We will allege that there’s been a number of other people also involved in that incident.”
November 20, 12:50 pm: Four people have been arrested over an alleged stabbing murder in a South Coast park.
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.
On Thursday (20 November), just over six weeks since the alleged incident, NSW Police said multiple people had been arrested.
At about 7:30 am today, officers attached to South Coast Police District carried out three simultaneous search warrants at homes in Bega and Bemboka.
Three men, aged 32, 34 and 29, and a 19-year-old woman were arrested and taken to Bega Police Station.
NSW State Emergency Service volunteers previously assisted South Coast Police District officers in searching for a knife.
After a tip-off from the public, NSW Police divers also spent 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.
Police are set to hold a press conference later today.
Investigations under Strike Force Nakstone continue.
More to come.
