Qld: No foul play behind human head found in giant fish

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2000
Qld: No foul play behind human head found in giant fish

By Ainsley Pavey

BRISBANE, Aug 31 AAP - Crew on a boat that lost a fisherman overboard at the weekend
later pulled up a fish containing a human head, police said today.

Townsville police said crew from Cairns-based line fishing vessel `Loray' sent out
a `may day' call after fisherman Michael Peter Edwards, 39, vanished at 1am on Sunday
about 95km north of Townsville.

The boat remained anchored to the same spot for several hours after a visit by a detective
who was lowered on deck by helicopter to question the crew.

Hours after the policeman had gone, a 1.28m Black Spot Cod containing the male head
was hauled on board.

However, the grisly discovery was not made until Tuesday when staff at Cairns' A Fine
Kettle O' Fish filleting factory cut open the cods stomach to reveal a "wholly intact"

head.

Police have doused speculation that a homicide investigation may be looming, with the
case attracting worldwide attention.

"Definitely not ... there are no suspicious circumstances ... there is absolutely no
evidence to suggest foul play," Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Wright of Townsville Police
said today.

The detectives have called off the air and sea search for Mr Edwards, and informed
his family of the discovery of the head.

Meanwhile, Cairns police, who are holding the head and the 44kg fish in the city's
hospital morgue, said dental records and DNA testing would be used to identify the head
and cause of death.

A locally-held post mortem yesterday was "inconclusive" and further tests are set to
be held in Brisbane's forensic laboratories next week.

AAP ap/jhm/hu

KEYWORD: FISHERMAN NIGHTLEAD

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