Police have charged a man with the murder of Sydney surfer Guy Haymes, days after his family appealed for information about the death of the “fun-loving” northern beaches identity.
Haymes, 59, a former competitive surfer affectionately known as “Creature”, was found with critical head injuries on 27 February, outside a unit complex on Pittwater Road at Manly.
He died in Royal North Shore hospital on 15 March.
Detectives from Strike Force Flat, a homicide investigation involving northern beaches police and the State Crime Command homicide squad, arrested a 41-year-old man at Greenacre on Saturday evening.
He is due to appear in Parramatta local court on Sunday charged with murder, two counts of taking or detaining a person with intent to obtain advantage, and one count of taking or detaining a person occasioning actual bodily harm.
Haymes, a former competitive surfer who competed in the Rip Curl Shield in the 1980s, was well-known in the northern beaches.
Police and his family launched an appeal for information about his death on Thursday. They said at the time they believed the attacker was known to Haymes.
His brother, Mark, said Guy’s death had left the family with “an empty feeling”, the ABC reported.
“Guy was fun-loving, and sociable, and he got along with everyone. He was very warm, and welcomed people into the community with open arms,” Mark Haymes said.
“Our whole family is in shock and disbelief that he had his life cut short, and in such a brutal way. Not knowing what happened that day and not having the answers is the hardest part.
“We can’t imagine anyone would want to hurt him.”
