Police investigate whether smashed windows behind alleged murder of man on Gold Coast footpath

Strange twist in the alleged killing of a law graduate as police investigate whether smashed windows at a home were linked to a fatal stabbing – while a woman, 20, is charged with murder

• Detectives probing if smashed windows at Gold Coast home were behind death 
• Nicholas Braid, 35, allegedly fatally stabbed in the chest about 7pm on Tuesday
• Police allege he went to Surfers Paradise resort to speak with group of people 
• Freedom Anderson, 20, charged with one count of murder after a police search 
• Police will investigate if a ‘wilful damage’ incident was linked to alleged murder

By Charlie Coë and Alisha Rouse For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:28 BST, 23 April 2020 | Updated: 02:43 BST, 23 April 2020

Freedom Anderson, 20, (pictured) was arrested on Wednesday afternoon following a police search and charged with the murder of Nicholas Braid

Detectives probing the alleged murder of a law graduate outside an apartment resort are investigating whether smashed windows could have led to his death.

Police allege Nicholas Braid, 35, was fatally stabbed in the chest about 7pm on Tuesday night when he went to speak with a group of people staying at the Beachcomber resort in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast.

One alleged member of the group, Freedom Anderson, 20, was charged with one count of murder on Wednesday following a police search.

Investigators are looking into whether an incident involving the ‘wilful damage’ to windows in a Gold Coast home could have been behind the death, The Courier-Mail reported.

It is believed Anderson and Mr Braid were loosely known to each other, and that she fled the scene on foot as the group scattered following the altercation.

Police believe the weapon, which has not yet been found, was an ‘edged weapon like a knife’. 

 Police allege law graduate Mr Braid, 35, (pictured) went to speak with a group of people staying at the Beachcomber resort in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast

The industrial relations adviser was allegedly stabbed to death outside the apartment block (pictured) with a yet to be found bladed weapon

Mr Braid, a former industrial relations advisor, had been released on bail last week after several months in prison for a spate of thefts at fuel stations. 

Family and friends have paid tribute to Mr Braid, calling him ‘loyal, generous and smart’.

‘Nick was a much loved and loving son, brother and friend,’ his mother Michelle Braid told The Courier-Mail.

‘Despite his struggles, he never stopped caring for them and always had compassion for the underdog.  

‘His loyalty and generosity knew no bounds. He was known for his formidable intelligence and passionate eloquence. We are devastated.’ 

He also had law and international business degrees.

 Mr Braid was found on the streets outside the apartment block on Tuesday night

Mr Braid was found with a chest wound on the pavement outside the Surfers Paradise apartment block (pictured)

Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn from the Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch ruled out domestic violence. 

‘It’s certainly not a spousal partner or some sort of situation like that; our early indications are they are loosely known to each other – the group,’ he said.

‘We believe some of the people on the street were from within that building.

The 35-year-old (pictured) was described as ‘loyal, generous and smart’ by his mother

Police take photos at the crime scene after the body of Mr Braid was found on Tuesday night 

‘We have been speaking to them during the night … and further interviews today with all the residents in that apartment building.’ 

Witnesses from a nearby apartment block described hearing a woman screaming and an alleged ‘argument’ before Mr Braid’s body was found on the footpath. 

During the argument, he was allegedly stabbed once in the torso and collapsed on the footpath, before later being declared dead at Gold Coast Hospital. 

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