The daughter of a man who died following an assault at Tweed Heads last month has made an emotional appeal for information as police continue investigations into his death.
About 6.15pm on Saturday 27 September, 48-year-old Hoani Shaune Love was involved in an altercation with a man outside a shopping centre on Wharf Street, Tweed Heads.
Mr Love was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital with head injuries and later transferred to the Gold Coast University Hospital where his condition deteriorated and he died on Tuesday 30 September.
Detectives from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command formed Strike Force Findo to investigate Mr Love’s death and have renewed their appeal for information.
Tweed/Byron crime manager, Detective Inspector Brendon Cullen, said police were keen to hear from anyone who saw the fight or has information about the identity of the other man involved.
‘Mr Love was well known in the area and was often found congregating with other homeless men in the park or near the shops,’ Det Insp Cullen said.
‘There would have been plenty of people in the vicinity of the shops at the time and I urge anyone who saw the fight to come forward and contact police.
‘We are particularly keen to speak to a man who has been described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 183cm tall and aged in his 20s with long brown hair,’ he said.
Mr Love’s daughter Toni flew to Australia to be with him after the assault and spoke to police about the effect his death has had on her family.
‘The loss has affected our family hugely, we can’t understand why this has happened and we just want answers as to why he was attacked,’ she said.
‘My dad had one grandchild, my daughter Eden and fortunately she got the chance to meet him but now that he’s gone she has lost her grandfather and her opportunity to know about her Maori heritage.
‘My dad’s life was cut short at such a young age and nobody deserves to lose someone in such a senseless and violent way.
‘I’d just like to ask anybody who has any information or the person responsible to come forward and make themselves known to police so my family can have the closure that we deserve.’
