Homicide investigation into death of boy who was thought to have drowned

Queensland police are investigating the death of a four-year-old boy in the Mackay region after a post-mortem indicated he did not drown as first thought.

Oct 27, 2021, updated May 22, 2025

The boy’s death on August 29 at Munburra, near Sarina, was initially reported as a suspected drowning in a residential pool, but the scientific findings have led to detectives re-examining the case.

Results indicate ā€œthe cause of death was inconsistent with drowningā€, Queensland Police said in a statement on Wednesday.

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ā€œA post-mortem and scientific examination has now indicated the cause of death was inconsistent with drowning and as such, police have commenced a homicide investigation codenamed Operation Tango Anise.

ā€œThe circumstances surrounding how and why the child was located in the pool remain under investigation at this time.ā€

Detective Inspector Tom Armitt said the boy lived with his mother and the family had been cooperative with police.

ā€œWe’re dealing with the death of a four-year-old boy and obviously a small child … relies heavily on the care of other people,ā€ he said on Thursday.

ā€œHis death is treated with the upmost seriousness of any other homicide that we would be conducting.ā€

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