Three men, including two from the Sunshine Coast, have been charged with murdering a cybersecurity expert who police say was tortured at multiple locations before his body was dumped by the side of a road.
Brisbane father Andrew Burow vanished from an inner Brisbane apartment on August 24, before his body was discovered north of the city at Maidenwell on September 2.
The 56-year-old, described as caring, loving, loyal and generous, was driven to as many as eight different locations and tortured before his death, police say. Multiple crime scenes were established on the Sunshine Coast.
Burnt alcohol wipes, zip ties, a mobile phone and a piece of paper with details of Mr Burow’s family were found in a fire pit on a rural property during the investigation.
Detective Acting Inspector Murray O’Connell says investigators worked around the clock to canvas a significant portion of southeast Queensland to locate Mr Burow, who they had not given up hope of finding alive despite serious concerns.
“The report which led to us locating Mr Burow’s body demonstrates how important every report from media and tips members of the public report to police can be in solving a bigger piece of the puzzle for investigations,” he said.
Mr Burow’s devastated family has asked for privacy, saying in a statement that “terrible things can happen to good people”.
“Andrew will be remembered as a caring and loving father, a loyal and generous son and brother, and someone who was always willing to give people a second chance,” the family statement said.
“We will miss his enthusiasm for life, his entrepreneurial mindset, and his willingness to give ideas a go.”
A 26-year-old North Lakes man, a 38-year-old Sippy Downs man and a 57-year-old Buderim man have been charged with murder, kidnapping, extortion and misconduct with a corpse by interfering.
The 57-year-old was charged with an additional one count of torture.
Police will allege the North Lakes man and Mr Burow were known to each other.
“It will be alleged that the men tortured Andrew at numerous locations and on or about August 25, they murdered Andrew and left his remains beside Brooklands Pimpimbudgee Road at Maidenwell, around August 26,” Det Insp O’Connell said.
The trio cannot apply for bail and will be remanded in custody when they appear before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444. Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestoppersqld.com.au. Quote this reference number: QP2501505718
