A murder investigation into the death of a well-known surfer has prompted his family to call on anyone with information to come forward.
Emergency services were called to a unit complex on Pittwater Road at Manly after reports of an assault about 5.45pm on February 27.
They found local surfer Guy Haymes, 59, with serious head injuries. He was rushed to hospital but he later died on March 15.
Mr Haymes was a popular surfer at beaches from Sydney’s Northern Beaches down to Wollongong and had earned himself the nickname ‘Creature’.
Detectives have spent three months investigating his death and on Thursday appealed to the public to help solve the suspected homicide.
Police have made a public appeal for information after local surfing legend, Guy Haymes (pictured), died in March from injuries sustained during a suspected assault at a unit in Manly
The 59-year-old was well-known at surf breaks from Sydney’s Northern Beaches down to Wollongong and had earned himself the nickname ‘Creature’ (pictured, a young Mr Haymes)
Detective Superintendent Patrick Sharkey said there are people who ‘have information about this assault’ who are yet to come forward.
His brother, Mark Haymes, said Creature’s sudden death has left his family in shock and seeking answers as to why he would have been targeted.
‘Guy was fun-loving and sociable, and he got along with everyone,’ he told reporters on Thursday.
‘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.
‘If anyone out there has any information, please come forward as our whole family needs closure.’
Mark said he ‘can’t imagine’ who would want to hurt his brother who was well liked across the local and surfing communities.
Mr Haymes learnt to surf in Sydney’s north and is considered one of a small group of locals to have kickstarted surfing at Avalon Beach, which is now one of Sydney’s surfing hotspots
The surfer’s family have called on anyone with information to come forward to aid the investigation as they ‘can’t imagine’ anyone who would want to hurt Mr Haymes
Mr Haymes grew up learning to surf on the Northern Beaches alongside his family who are all popular in the local surfing scene.
He is considered part of a small group of locals to have kickstarted surfing at Avalon Beach which is now one of Sydney’s hotspots.
Members of his family, John and Matthew, took to social media shortly after Mr Haymes’ death to honour the popular surfer.
‘The life of The Creature was an interesting one and I’m sure everyone who crossed paths with him has a funny story or two to tell,’ Matthew wrote.
‘Such sad news, (Mr Haymes is) a true Avalon legend in so many ways,’ one local commented.
‘Creature was one unique individual, funny as hell and one hell of a surfer, so sad to hear this news,’ a second wrote.
‘I will always remember him in one of the biggest meanest barrels I’ve ever seen.’
Another remembered him as a ‘great friend, great waterman, cheeky bastard and a great all round sportsman’ who will be ‘sadly missed’.
