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Man killed on 49th birthday, daughter’s ex-boyfriend faces court on murder charge

Kynan Vital (R) is the ex-boyfriend of David Murphy's daughter.

Kynan Vital (R) is the ex-boyfriend of David Murphy's daughter. Photo: Facebook

Shortly before Springfield Lakes man David Murphy was allegedly bashed on Saturday night, he had been celebrating his 49th birthday, police have confirmed.

Police said David Murphy had been marking his birthday when Kynan Vital and Ethan McPherson, both 19, allegedly broke into his home and punched a woman in the face before taking her phone and driving off in a ute.

Mr Murphy then pursued the ute in a silver sedan.

Both cars stopped on The Promenade at Springfield Lakes just after 10:00pm, where it is alleged the two teenagers stepped out of the ute and threatened and then bashed Mr Murphy with a firearm.

The ABC understands Mr Vital is the ex-boyfriend of Mr Murphy’s daughter.

Mr Vital and Mr McPherson faced Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday morning charged with Mr Murphy’s murder.

Witness Michele Mather, lives on The Promenade, and said shortly after the confrontation her daughter raced up to the silver sedan, which had stopped about 10 metres up the road.

A forensic investigator at the scene where Mr Murphy died. Photo: ABC News

She said her daughter and another neighbour tried to help Mr Murphy.

Ms Mather said Mr Murphy’s son and another young man were in the car and were very distressed.

“The boy was saying it was his father, it was his birthday,” she said.

“The boy was totally freaked out and my daughter jumped in immediately with another gentleman from up the street and they rolled him onto his side to help with his breathing.”

Ms Mather said after police arrived at the scene, two young women also arrived in a black car.

The ABC has been told Mr Murphy’s daughter was one of them — that she tried to approach her father but was stopped by police.

“She was screaming, ‘I’m sorry daddy, I’m sorry’,” Ms Mather said.

In court on Monday, Mr Vital asked to be brought into the dock as his murder charge was mentioned.

He looked towards his family in the courtroom before bursting into tears.

Mr Vital and Mr McPherson were remanded in custody to face court again next month.

Mr Vital’s family members were in tears as they left the court building.

Kynan Vital’s family members leaving Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday.

Outside court, Mr Vital’s lawyer Daniel Hannay spoke briefly to the media.

“For a 19-year-old charged with such a serious offence he is holding up okay,” he said.

“It’s an absolute tragic set of circumstances, it would be inappropriate of me to discuss the facts surrounding the allegations.

“Today, as you can see, the family is completely distressed and I am taking instructions with respect to a bail application.”

Mr Hannay said his client hoped the murder charge would be downgraded or dropped.

Mr McPherson’s lawyer Daniel Hua said his client was “holding up pretty well” given the terrible situation.

“He wishes to extend his heartfelt condolences to the victim in this matter, it is indeed a tragic set of circumstances,” Mr Hua said.

“At the moment we are not clear what the allegations are so far as his participation is concerned, so it’s something that he’s keen to have finalised before the courts in an expeditious matter.

“The allegations are not clear, it’s not known what exactly the case against him is and it’s going to be some time until that comes out, we are still waiting on a brief of evidence.”

Topics: Murder
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