Queensland family's plea after suspicious death of beloved brother John Patrick Hackett

The family of a 67-year-old man found dead inside his central Queensland unit has made an emotional plea to help find his killer.

The body of John Patrick Hackett was found by family on November 9, when they went to check on him in his Mackay home after being unable to contact him.

A post-mortem examination indicated he had been assaulted and police launched a homicide investigation.

Mr Hackett’s brother Stephen, made an emotional plea to help find his killer.

“John will forever be remembered as proud family man, loving brother, friend and valued member of his community, always putting others before himself,” Stephen Hackett told reporters in Mackay on Tuesday.

“The death of our beloved older brother has been devastating to us all.

“Today we are asking the public for help in finding the person who may be responsible for our beautiful brother’s death.

“If there is anyone who has seen anything at all, we urge you to please come forward with any information, no matter how little, how small.”

Police are appealing for information and dash cam footage of anyone in the vicinity of Gold Street who might have seen an altercation between Mr Hackett and another person on November 5.

“The fifth of November was Melbourne Cup day so people may have been moving around that area,” Detective Superintendent Emma Novosel said.

“If anybody recalls seeing John or another person having an altercation in that area, we would seek for them to come forward and provide information.

“On the following day, he had sustained an injury, and so we believe that there may have been some sort of altercation on the fifth of November.”

Police have no suspects at this stage.