UPGRADE TO ‘MURDER’
A GOLD Coast man who died in hospital after a fight at his home – leading to a newly laid murder charge – lives on as an organ donor.
Kevin Carney’s nephew William Carney revealed his uncle had died but noted both his kidneys had been donated and two recipients were “healthy and doing well”.
It comes as NSW Police charged Michael Charles Cook, 47, with murder.
Police have said the pair were known to each other.
A TWEED man who died in hospital a week after a fight at a Tweed Heads home has lived on as an organ donor.
Kevin Carney’s life support was switched off on Wednesday.
NSW Police has charged Michael Charles Cook, 47, with Mr Carney’s murder and said the pair were known to each other.
It’s alleged that about 6pm on Wednesday, May 15, a group of people were inside a unit on Kennedy Drive at Tweed Heads West when a “physical altercation” broke out between Cook and Mr Carney, 54.
Cook “assaulted the older man several times”, according to police.
Mr Carney was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition, and Cook was arrested at the scene.
He was charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning actual bodily harm but has now been charged with murder after being arrested a second time by officers from Tweed-Byron Police District.
Mr Carney’s nephew, William Carney, used Facebook to inform those who knew his uncle of his death.
“With a heavy heart, I wish to let everybody know that Kevin Carney passed away on Wednesday afternoon after (he) had his life support switched off, following an incident in Tweed Heads the previous week,” he said.
“We will let everyone know the funeral date and time as soon as we’re told.
“On a lighter note, the decision was made to donate both of Uncle Kev’s kidneys, and we’ve since heard from the hospital that both recipients are healthy and doing well.
“Thank you to everyone that has been supportive.”
In a flood of responses, commenters described Mr Carney as a friendly larrikin and “local legend”.
Others praised Mr Carney’s decision to sign up as an organ donor.
Cook faced Tweed Heads Local Court yesterday and was refused bail. He was listed to appear again today.