Police and family members are renewing appeals for information from the public on the fourth anniversary of a man’s death on the Far North Coast, NSW Police say.
Strike Force Dartmoor was established in August 2013 – comprising detectives from Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command – to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of 30-year-old Matthew Mitchell.
Matthew was found lying unconscious on the road at Graham Drive, Sandy Beach, about 25km north of Coffs Harbour, on Saturday 17 August 2013.
He had sustained serious head injuries and did not regain consciousness before dying in a Sydney hospital on Saturday 19 September 2013.
After extensive investigations and public appeals, no one has been charged in connection with Matthew’s death.
During a 2016 inquest into Matthew’s death, NSW Deputy State Coroner Barry found that "Matthew Luke Mitchell died on 19 September 2013 at Royal North Shore Hospital as a result of a head injury occasioned by an impact with a moving vehicle, moving at speed, whilst he was walking or standing on the road, which occurred on 17 August 2013 on Graham Drive, Sandy Beach."
Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Darren Jameson, said his officers are doing all they can to ensure someone is brought to justice, but community help is needed.
"We are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who may have knowledge of the vehicle and/or driver responsible for the collision with Matthew," Det Ch Insp Jameson said.
"We believe the driver of a vehicle travelling south on Graham Drive about 10.50pm on Saturday 17 August 2013, may hold the key to this matter."
Strike Force detectives are confident there are people out there who have information but, for whatever reason, have been reluctant to come forward.
The investigation is and will remain ongoing and the family are seeking answers
"Someone must know something so I urge you to pick up the phone and call us – you can do this anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
