By HARRY CLARKE | EXCLUSIVE
THE beloved family of Shaun Creevey and the thoroughbred racing community of western Queensland are stricken by grief following his death this week, which resulted from him being allegedly assaulted at his Chinchilla apartment on November 21.
Mr Creevey died of a heart attack Monday at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, where he was being treated for severe head injuries allegedly caused last Wednesday by his 21-year-old neighbour, Jye Hocken-Thiedeke.
Police were called to the Wambo St complex where the pair lived about 9.30pm, after Mr Hocken-Thiedeke allegedly struck Mr Creevey during a scuffle at Mr Creevey’s front door.
“(Mr Creevey) was struck in the head, causing him to fall to the ground,” police said in a statement. “He was transported (airlifted) to the Princess Alexandra Hospital with serious head injuries in a critical condition.”
“(Mr Hocken-Thiedeke) was taken into custody at the scene and charged with one count of grievous bodily harm.”
It’s unclear how the altercation between the two neighbours arose.
The Caller understands that incidentally Mr Creevey, a respected disability and aged care worker, had been providing care services to Mr Hocken-Thiedeke’s disabled younger brother. There’s no suggestion this related to the incident.
Mr Hocken-Thiedeke appeared in the Dalby Magistrates Court on November 22. He made no bail application and was remanded in custody.
Following Mr Creevey’s death in hospital on Monday, police today upgraded Mr Hocken-Thiedeke’s charge from grievous bodily harm to unlawful striking causing death.
Shaun Creevey, originally from Augathella in South West Queensland, was a well-known and highly regarded member of the bush racing community.
He’d worked as a trainer, trainer’s assistant, stablehand and horse strapper at various race clubs before moving to the Western Downs about 18 months ago to continue his career as a carer.
A colleague told the Caller that residents at an aged care centre in Miles where he worked “absolutely loved him”.
Mr Creevey’s nephew, Cameron Creevey, told the Caller that as well as being “a very loving and caring person”, his uncle was an excellent horseman with a passion for racing and campdrafting.
“He loved his horses. Whenever you talked to him he’d always bring up horses,” Cameron said.
“I was very close with him. When I was a young fella he would always come and look after us kids. We’d stay over for the night and he’d take us to school in the morning.”
Cameron Creevey said his uncle was being treated for severe brain breeding while in hospital, and he died following a heart attack he suffered on Monday.
“It’s a very sad tragedy. It’s very heartbreaking,” he said.
“There was a lot of stress over the past week about whether or not he’d pull through.
“Nana had a meeting with the doctors and said there’s no brain function anymore so there’s not much they could do, so his life support had to be turned off.”
Mr Creevey is survived by his parents Joe and Gloria, brothers Damian and Calvin, and six nieces and nephews. A date for his funeral is yet to be set.
Friends in the country racing industry have been sharing tributes online for the 45-year-old.
Coby Flint wrote: “You have taught me so much and every time I seen you, u always had somthing to tell me if it was about race horses to goss to so much more. Fishing trips used to be good fun til that brown snake nearly got you on the foot and them yellow belly would be worth it every time You always would wanted to help out whenever you could and I was forever grateful of who you were and plenty of others would think the same. You’ll always be missed and dearly remembered by many and always loved” (sic).
Zoe Hohn wrote: “To say I am absolutely shattered is an understatement. I will cherish ever second spent with you forever. All the advice you gave the laughs we had together and the way you made me feel when all I needed was picking up. You thought me how to appreciate the little things in life and I sure am going to miss the late night chats the rum around the pool table and the banter we shared. You were one hell of a man Shauny and I hope you watch over me from above. You will never be forgotten”. (sic)
Beautiful story so sad to hear of Mr Creevey passing he was a true gentleman and Larkin. Great big heart and time for everyone.