VICTIM LEFT TIED UP AT HOME
Carer to front court today charged with pensioner’s murder
BOUND, gagged and fatally injured was the state disability pensioner Rob Duffy was allegedly found in by detectives in his Mooroobool home.
Today his live-in carer Terrance Barallon, 44, will appear in court charged with his murder, four days after police made the gruesome discovery in a bedroom of the Dodd Ct property.
Mr Barallon was taken into custody at Port Douglas yesterday after allegedly driving to the resort town in one of Mr Duffy’s three cars.
It is alleged the 62-year-old man’s body was found by police, bound at the feet, legs and arms with his head covered, after interstate family members raised concerns after being unable to contact him for three days.
Mr Barallon is accused of stealing Mr Duffy’s MercedesBenz SUV and a Holden Commodore sedan as well as using his credit card. The MercedesBenz was found dumped on Eureka St at Manunda on Wednesday night. The Commodore was located by police at Port Douglas where Mr Barallon had allegedly been staying in a hotel.
He allegedly called police yesterday morning after being told by an associate they were looking for him.
Police have not detailed the cause of Mr Duffy’s death, although Det Insp Geoff Marsh said the autopsy showed injuries “sufficient for the pathologist to make a finding of homicide”.
It is understood he had suffered multiple injuries.
Mr Barallon is believed to have been Mr Duffy’s carer for about six months.
The pensioner had debilitating injuries which left him virtually housebound, walking with the aid of a crutch and with a noticeable stoop.
Neighbours said they never heard any issues or arguments between the pair and were shocked by the events.
“I never heard anything,” one resident who did not wish to be named said. “They were no trouble at all. “They were just nice and quiet and friendly.”
Det Insp Marsh said forensic and scientific testing at the property had concluded and the house would be handed back to detectives for an “investigative search”.
He could not confirm whether any weapons had been located. Police have praised the community’s assistance in the investigation. Watch video of the update from Det Insp Geoff Marsh www.cairnspost.com.au