THE INVESTIGATION

THE state coroner will determine what led to the stabbing deaths of two men at Alva Beach.

Police investigating the deaths of Corey Christensen, 37, and Tom Davy, 27, have indicated they will not lay charges and, instead, refer the matter to the coroner.

Dean Webber, 19, was taken into custody but later released without charge.

Police said in a statement yesterday: “The investigation into two deaths at Alva Beach is ongoing. All aspects of the investigation, including the details of the police response, will form part of a report to be submitted to the coroner for review.”

Bill Potts, who runs Queensland’s biggest criminal law firm, told the Bulletin this week that police referring the matter to the coroner likely meant there was “overwhelming evidence” the two men were killed in an act of self- defence.

“In some cases it is lawful to kill somebody, and that includes when you are defending yourself or someone else from an attack that may well cause you either death or grievous bodily harm,” said Mr Potts. He said the process could take between six months and several years.

“The coroner’s duty is to determine the name, date, time, place and cause of death,” Mr Potts said. “Secondly, if the coroner believes after hearing evidence that any person may have committed a crime, then they can refer the matter to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions so they can determine if a person should be charged and placed on trial in Supreme Court.”