Man Charged With Two Murders After Father and Son Are Found Dead 15 Days Apart

A 32-year-old man has been charged with two counts of murder after a father and his son were found dead at the same rural property in northern New South Wales, Australia, just 15 days apart.

The investigation began after the body of a 79-year-old man was discovered inside a house on Summerland Way in Gurranang, about 25 kilometres north of Grafton, on September 13.

A Second Body Was Found Two Weeks Later

Police returned to the property on September 28 as part of their investigation into the first death. During the search, officers made another discovery: the body of a 59-year-old man was found inside a shed on the property.

The two men were related. Police later confirmed that the younger man had travelled to New South Wales to help deal with the older man’s estate after his death.

Investigators said the second man’s death appeared to have occurred within the previous 24 to 48 hours before his body was found.

Neighbour Arrested at Hospital

Homicide Squad detectives established Strike Force Faneel to investigate the deaths.

On September 29, police arrested 32-year-old Nicholas Marsden Scott at Grafton Base Hospital, where he had attended for medical treatment. Police said Scott was believed to live in Gurranang and was a neighbour of the two victims.

He was taken to Grafton Police Station and later charged with two counts of murder and one count of stealing a motor vehicle.

Police Allege the Son Was Attacked at the Property

Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi said investigators believed the 59-year-old man had returned to the property while dealing with his relative’s estate.

Police allege that he was then attacked by the accused neighbour.

Authorities have not released a complete account of what happened to either victim, and the investigation into the circumstances of both deaths is continuing.

A Difficult Scene for Investigators

Police described the discovery of the second body as unexpected and confronting for officers who had initially been investigating the first death.

The property remained an active crime scene as detectives and forensic officers continued examining the location and gathering evidence.

Investigators are also examining the movements of the people involved and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Case Now Before the Court

Scott appeared in court after being charged and did not apply for bail. He remains in custody and is due to return to Grafton Local Court in December.

The allegations against him have not been proven in court, and the investigation remains ongoing.

For the victims’ family and the small Gurranang community, the case has raised difficult questions about how two related men came to die at the same property within just over two weeks.

Sources

• ABC News — “Neighbour in court accused of murdering elderly man and his relative on Gurranang property” — September 30, 2026.
• ABC News — “Man arrested after two bodies found two weeks apart at same Gurranang property” — September 29, 2026.
• NSW Police — “Man charged with murder after two men found dead — Gurranang” — September 30, 2026.
• 7NEWS Australia — “Neighbour charged after father and son found dead 15 days apart at same property in Gurranang” — September 30, 2026.