Fresh details have emerged about a banana picker from Vanuatu who left behind a young family to do farm work in Australia and is now accused of amputating another man’s leg with a circular saw in an “arrangement” before he died from the horrific injury.
John Yalu, 36, appeared in Innisfail Magistrates Court on Monday after police discovered the grisly scene in a Far North Queensland park at the weekend.
The body of the 66-year-old man was found on Fitzgerald Esplanade at Innisfail in the early hours of Saturday morning by passers-by.
Police allege there was an “arrangement” between Mr Yalu and the older man for the amputation of the leg, with the deceased man paying $5000 to Mr Yalu.
It is alleged the pair drove to Fitzgerald Park at 3.48am on Saturday and the older man’s leg was allegedly sawn off below the knee.
He later died at the scene.
Mr Yalu was arrested hours later and charged with murder.
Detective Acting Inspector Gary Hunter told reporters on Sunday that police would allege both men were known to each other, but the nature of their relationship was still under investigation.
“During my 34 years as a police officer, I’ve never experienced a situation as we are presented with here,” Inspector Hunter said.
The battery-powered saw used in the alleged incident is believed to have belonged to the dead man.
Mr Yalu’s social media pages are littered with pictures of what are believed to be his young children in Vanuatu who he left behind in June to travel to Australia and undergo farm work.
Farm workers who shared accommodation with the 36-year-old said they were shocked by the arrest.
One neighbour told The they were “shocked and surprised” over the news.
Mr Yalu’s matter was mentioned at Innisfail Magistrate Court on Monday.
He was represented by duty solicitor Kellie Walker, who asked magistrate Megan Power for a date to be set for a police brief handover and an adjournment.
The matter was adjourned to June 6 for mention.
Mr Yalu was remanded in custody.
