Man charged with sleeping bag murder wanted over another death
A man charged with the random and "particularly brutal" murder of a homeless man in northern NSW is wanted in connection to a second sleeping bag killing in Queensland.
Kevin James Pettiford, 34, faced court on Wednesday charged with murdering a 56-year-old homeless man whose body was found late last week in a sleeping bag in a Tweed Heads park.
Queensland Police have confirmed to AAP Pettiford is now also wanted over a second alleged murder involving a homeless man on the Sunshine Coast.
David Collin, 53, was allegedly murdered in September as he slept behind the Millwell Road East community centre in Maroochydore. His body was found in his sleeping bag.
Detective Chief Inspector Brendon Cullen on Wednesday said the Tweed Heads killing appeared to be "a random attack on a homeless man".
"It is a particularly brutal and violent attack on someone who is essentially helpless," he told reporters.
Pettiford is himself homeless, Insp Cullen said in Tweed Heads.
NSW Police arrested Pettiford on Tuesday after he got off a bus in Wharf Street in Tweed Heads.
He was taken to the local police station and charged with murder.
Pettiford did not apply for bail when he appeared in the Tweed Heads Local Court on Wednesday morning.
He's next scheduled to appear before the same court on January 22.
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