NSW coroner refers Jackson Stacker’s death to homicide squad after inquest raises unanswered questions
Consensus Summary
The death of 25-year-old Jackson Stacker, whose remains were found in a Byron Bay-area paddock in August 2021 with a knife in his chest and his skull separated from his body, has been referred to NSW’s Unsolved Homicide Squad after a coronial inquest raised serious unanswered questions. Stacker, a van-packer traveling from Melbourne, was last seen alive on July 22, 2021, in Byron Bay, where he was reportedly distressed after consuming LSD. His van was found abandoned near the crime scene with keys in the ignition, and forensic evidence—including the absence of defense wounds—suggests foul play, though decomposition prevented definitive conclusions. The coroner criticized early investigative assumptions that Stacker may have taken his own life, noting concerns about delays in establishing a strike force and insufficient exploration of new evidence. Stacker’s parents, who have long disputed the suicide theory, welcomed the coroner’s recommendation, stating they possess additional information to share with homicide detectives as they seek justice for their son.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Jackson Stacker, 25, died between July 22, 2021 (last seen alive) and August 25, 2021 (body found in a paddock near Sleepy Hollow, 40km north of Byron Bay)
- Stacker’s body was found with a large hunting-style knife in his left chest, his scalp and dreadlocks 14 metres from the body, and his van abandoned at Sleepy Hollow rest stop with keys in ignition
- NSW State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan recommended Stacker’s death be referred to the NSW Police Unsolved Homicide Squad for further assessment
- Forensic pathologist Dr Leah Clifton concluded the cause of death was ‘unascertained’ due to advanced decomposition, but noted the knife wounds ‘tend against murder’ (no defence wounds) while also stating it was ‘most likely’ the knife caused death
- Stacker’s family believes the initial police investigation was flawed, citing unanswered questions and new evidence not explored in the original proceedings
- Coroner O’Sullivan found ‘some aspects of the early investigation raised concerns’ but could not conclude it was ‘inadequate’ due to lack of evidence
- Stacker’s mother, Sandra MacFarlane, stated the family has gathered additional evidence to hand over to homicide detectives
- Stacker was last seen alive in Byron Bay on July 22, 2021, where he was described as ‘upset and crying uncontrollably’ after consuming LSD
- No DNA evidence was extracted from the knife, and there was no evidence Stacker owned a hunting knife
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Ian Stacker, Jackson’s father, told the Guardian that Jackson was ‘seeking an alternative lifestyle’ and wanted to ‘live off the land’
- Jackson’s mother found one of his teeth under a leaf at the crime scene after his remains were discovered
- Coroner O’Sullivan noted the absence of defence wounds and that ‘the two chest wounds tend against murder because it is unlikely that Jackson would have stood still while being attacked’
- The coroner stated that ‘a large hunting-style knife’ was found in Stacker’s left chest with the handle resting on his right hand
- A friend of Stacker’s sent a text on July 22 saying: 'love ya heaps, don’t do anything I wouldn’t.'
- The coroner’s court proceedings were held at Lidcombe, with the family present in Byron Bay and Lismore
- The ABC article includes a warning that the content may be distressing
- The article notes the van was found about 120 metres from the body (Guardian/ABC say 40km north of Byron Bay, but no distance to van specified)
- The headline emphasizes ‘grim detail’ and ‘mystery’ more explicitly than other sources
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian and ABC state the coroner found ‘some aspects of the early investigation raised concerns,’ but the Guardian adds she could not conclude the investigation was ‘inadequate,’ while ABC omits this nuance
- The Guardian specifies the van was found at a rest stop in Sleepy Hollow near Pottsville, while ABC and Newscomau refer to it as the Sleepy Hollow rest area without mentioning Pottsville
- Guardian and ABC state the coroner found it ‘probable’ Stacker was distressed or depressed but could not confirm suicide, while Newscomau omits the ‘probable’ qualifier
Source Articles
Mysterious death of Jackson Stacker near Byron Bay referred to homicide squad
Melbourne man stabbed twice in chest, with remains found in field near his campervan in 2021. Family argue police prematurely assumed he’d killed himself Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The New South Wales coroner has recommended the mysterious death of Jackson Stacker near Byron Bay be investigated by the homicide squad, with Teresa O’Sullivan finding “some aspects of the early [police] investigation raised conc
Coroner refers Byron death of Melbourne van-packer to homicide police
The NSW state coroner recommends the death of van-packer Jackson Stacker near Byron Bay be referred to the Unsolved Homicide Squad.
Grim detail in mystery Byron paddock death
A coroner has delivered her findings into the mysterious death of a man found in a paddock with a knife in his chest and his skull separated 13m from his body.
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