A 36-year-old man has been charged with murder over the gruesome death of a 66-year-old man in an Innisfail park.
WARNING: The following article contains descriptions of violence that may disturb some readers.
The 36-year-old Innisfail man allegedly used a circular saw to sever the 66-year-old man's leg below the knee.
It is alleged the pair drove together to Fitzgerald Park in Innisfail, Far North Queensland, just before 4am where they sat under a tree.
Twenty minutes later, the 36-year-old used the saw to cut the older man's lower leg off.
The accused then assisted the 66-year-old back to the car before fleeing the scene on foot.
Shortly before 4:30am, a member of the public located the mutilated man and contacted emergency services. He died a short time later.
The 36-year-old was found by police around midday at an Innisfail residence and assisted police with their investigations.
He will appear at the Innisfail Magistrates Court tomorrow on one count of murder.
Detective Inspector Gary Hunter said police believe the men had entered an "arrangement" of some kind for the 66-year-old man's leg to be amputated.
"The two men were known to each other but the extent of that relationship is still forming part of our investigations," Detective Inspector Hunter said.
"It's also believed there's been an arrangement between the two people for the amputation of the leg."
"The specific reasons and arrangements are subject to inquiries by detectives.
"We are unable [at this stage] to establish the motive behind the removal of the leg … but this is not an unprovoked attack," he said.
Detective Inspector Hunter said the circular saw was owned by the deceased man and refused to speculate whether drugs were involved.
He said the incident was "devastating and "tragic" and police had appointed a family liaison officer to provide support to the victim's family.
"Obviously they are upset with what's occurred … it's totally unexpected."
"During my 34 years as a police officer, I've never experienced a situation as we are presented with here today," Detective Inspector Hunter said.
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
Police are appealing for anyone with information on the incident or relevant CCTV or dash-cam footage to come forward.
