PLEASE NOTE: Images will be available via hightail later today.
Police are appealing for public assistance as they continue to investigate the suspicious death of a man on Sydney's Northern Beaches earlier this year, under Strike Force Flat.
About 5.45pm on Tuesday, 27 February 2024, emergency services were called to a unit complex on Pittwater Road, Manly, following reports of an assault.
Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended the scene and found a man with serious head injuries.
The man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with critical injuries.
Police were advised he later died in hospital on Friday, 15 March 2024.
The man has since been formally identified as 59-year-old Guy Haymes.
Detectives from Northern Beaches Police Area Command formed Strike Force Flat in March to investigate the circumstances surrounding the assault and Guy's subsequent death, assisted by the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad.
Guy – who was known by his friends as 'Creature' – was a high-profile surfer, well known in surfing communities in and around Sydney, including in the Northern Beaches and Wollongong.
He also had ties to communities in Sydney's south, including Hurstville.
Northern Beaches PAC commander, Detective Superintendent Patrick Sharkey, said detectives have conducted extensive inquiries, but are now appealing for more information from members of the public.
"We are reaching out for assistance from the community as we continue to investigate this for Guy's family, Det Supt Sharkey said.
"We know there are people out there who have information about this assault. We need those people to come forward.
"My detectives will not stop until we have those answers."
Det Supt Sharkey said he hoped everyone in the extended community would share their appeal for information.
"Guy's family have been left without answers and I need the community to help in providing those answers," he said.
Guy's brother, Mark Haymes echoed Supt Sharkey's appeal, saying his family has been left in shock and without answers.
"Guy was fun-loving and sociable, and he got along with everyone," Mark said.
"Our whole family is shocked and in 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.
"It was tragic and we can't imagine that anyone would want to hurt him.
"If anyone out there has any information, please come forward as our whole family needs closure."
Anyone with information which may assist investigators are urged to call Northern Beaches Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
