{"id":702982,"date":"2026-05-29T21:24:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T21:24:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/702982\/"},"modified":"2026-05-29T21:24:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T21:24:18","slug":"murder-suspect-released-from-mental-health-facility-days-before-elderly-man-allegedly-beaten-to-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/702982\/","title":{"rendered":"Murder suspect released from mental health facility days before elderly man allegedly beaten to death"},"content":{"rendered":"

The man accused of murdering an elderly dog walker during a series of wild attacks in central Queensland<\/a> had been held for mental health treatment and discharged from hospital only days earlier, it has been revealed.<\/p>\n

Richard Babos, 36, was charged with murder after he allegedly beat<\/a> a 78-year-old man to death with a pole at North Isis, south west of Bundaberg, on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Police allege Babos had earlier stolen a metal pipe from a nearby shed before accusing the elderly man of stealing his dog and beating him to death. <\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

After his arrest, it was discovered Babos had been receiving treatment at a mental health facility before being discharged just two days before the alleged murder. <\/p>\n

Police<\/a> said Babos had been placed under arrest and ordered to undergo an emergency examination authority under the mental health act at a southeast<\/a> hospital on Monday.<\/p>\n

However, Babos was discharged for follow-up care with a GP, and was not under any treatment orders at the time of his alleged offending. <\/p>\n

\"RichardRichard Babos was released from a mental health facility two days before he allegedly murdered an elderly man. Credit: 7NEWS\"BarbosBarbos was charged with murder after an alleged rampage through central Queensland. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n

Questions were raised as to how the system allowed Babos to be released back into the community during an alleged mental health crisis. <\/p>\n

Queensland Minister for Health Tim Nicholls said his department is investigating the incident and Babos\u2019s links with the health system. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe details of what occurred in and around Childers are absolutely horrifying and I offer my sincere condolences to the loved ones of the man who tragically lost his life, and my thoughts are also with the others involved in this incident,\u201d Nicholls said in a statement on Friday morning. <\/p>\n

\u201cAs is standard practice, Queensland Health is working with police as they conduct their investigations, including examining interactions between the alleged perpetrator and the health system.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"BabosBabos was discharged into the care of his GP upon leaving the mental health facility. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n

Nicholls also blamed failures under the previous government for a \u201cdecade of decline\u201d in health and mental health services across the state. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe are committed to spending every cent of the Mental Health Levy on mental health services, unlike the former Labor Government which failed to set up proper accountability to ensure these funds were being used appropriately, as evidenced in the recent Auditor General\u2019s report.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other victims speak out<\/p>\n

Wednesday\u2019s fatal attack was just part of a spree of alleged crimes Babos has been charged with, which also includes the attempted murder of another person. <\/p>\n

Towards the end of Babos\u2019s rampage he is alleged to have come into contact with Andrew Kearney in Childers. <\/p>\n

Kearney told 7NEWS that Babos had approached him and asked for a drink of water. Kearney said he didn\u2019t have any water, only the empty hose he was rolling up. <\/p>\n

Babos allegedly grabbed the hose, and as Kearney turned to retreat, Babos is alleged to have made a loop in the hose and put it around Kearney\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n

\"AndrewAndrew Kearney said he was attacked by Babos in Childers. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n

\u201cHe started trying to break my neck,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cI was just lucky that the guys sleeping over here came over to rescue me.\u201d <\/p>\n

Kearney said he was rescued by witnesses at a caravan park who wrestled Babos off him. <\/p>\n

One rescuer told 7NEWS that Babos was covered in blood and had the \u201cstrength of 10 men\u201d.<\/p>\n

Babos is alleged to have attacked several other people during Wednesday\u2019s crime spree. <\/p>\n

Police allege shortly before Babos fatally attacked the dog walker, he had deliberately reversed his car into a Mitsubishi Pajero, before reversing into the 65-year-old male driver when he exited to look at his damaged car. <\/p>\n

He then allegedly punched the Mitsubishi driver multiple times before leaving the scene. <\/p>\n

He is also alleged to have been involved in an earlier crash on the Bruce Hwy at Glenorchy, when he deliberately reversed into a Tesla, before he verbally assaulted the driver. <\/p>\n

Investigations into Wednesday\u2019s incidents are ongoing, and anyone with relevant vision or information is urged to contact police. <\/p>\n

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