BIKER NEWS -- Police are continuing to search for the body of Gold Coast dad Greg Dufty after two alleged bikies were today charged ...
BIKER NEWS -- Police are continuing to search for the body of Gold Coast dad Greg Dufty after two alleged bikies were today charged with his murder, including the man accused of Tara Brown’s ramming and bashing murder.
Queensland police today charged Lionel Patea, 24, and a 27-year-old New Zealand man over Mr Dufty’s death.
The 37-year-old father-of-two was last seen on July 6 after at an Ashmore home, and his disappearance sparked a police investigation.
Officers located his rental car in a carpark on Ashmore Road, and believe he then got into a truck and travelled to a remote road in Mount Nathan.
Today’s breakthrough in the investigation came as a result of searches, Superintendent David Hutchinson said.
“Today we had a number of police gather, probably up to 35 police, and they executed some warrants across the Gold Coast and they also located a number of persons to be interviewed,” he said.
In September, Mr Patea was charged with the murder of his ex-partner Tara Brown over the alleged ramming and assault of the young mum, 24, on September 8. She later died in hospital.
He is defending the charges.
Police will allege Mr Dufty's murder happened about two months earlier.
Today, a lawyer for Mr Patea said he and the NZ man will defend the charges over Mr Dufty’s death.
“As I understand it they’re alleging it’s a drug debt gone wrong, but certainly I haven't seen any evidence to back up their claims,” lawyer Campbell MacCallum said.
“Lionel and the gentlemen over in New Zealand have both given instructions that they will be defending these charges.”
Both alleged offenders have links to outlaw motorcycle gangs, Supt Hutchinson said.
Three other Gold Coast men are also assisting police with inquiries, he said.
Mr Patea's brother Nelson is among the three men who have spoken to police, 9NEWS understands.
“The investigation at this stage is ongoing,” Supt Hutchinson said.
“The body is still outstanding.”
The New Zealand man has also been charged with misconduct with a corpse and will be extradited to Australia tomorrow, Supt Hutchinson said.
Investigators had conducted other searches over the past four months in relation to Mr Dufty’s suspected murder.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
© ninemsn 2015
This article was first published on 7:44pm November 2, 2015
Get a copy of 9news or go to 9news.com.au for more stories.
Get a copy of 9news or go to 9news.com.au for more stories.
