Edward 'Ned' Kelly was found decapitated in his Broadwater, NSW home. Source: Supplied
- Edward "Ned" Kelly found dead, beheaded
- Jonathon Andrew Stenberg accused of beheading
- Manhunt is underway in Darwin
A MALCOLM Naden-style manhunt is underway in Darwin for a violent suspected killer with military training who is wanted over the murder of a NSW man.
Northern Territory police are using every resource available to them to hunt area around Berry Springs for Jonathon Andrew Stenberg, 56, accused of beheading Edward Kelly, 54, of Broadwater, on the NSW north coast, last week.
Residents have returned to their homes in Darwin's rural area, after police were unable to locate the alleged killer, the NT News reports.
At a press conference today Commander Richard Bryson said the fugitive is a former Australian Army soldier and has been deployed overseas.
Cmdr Bryson said police "believe the individual is still in the region."
Residents of the rural area, particularly around Berry Springs are being asked by police to report suspicious activity they may notice this morning "no matter how trivial - unlocked gates, sheds accessed or any sign of a person being on their property".
Cmdr Bryson says the hunt may take some time because of the danger to officers and rugged conditions. Commander Bryson says a 45sq km peninsular area has been cordoned off while tactical teams, dogs and a helicopter with thermal imaging equipment hunt for Mr Stenberg.
''(For) the operational police out there at the moment it is an extremely dangerous proposition,'' he told reporters in Darwin today.
"They are actually blindly searching on the ground for someone who has recently shown a demonstrated propensity to engage in extreme violence."
He said police were "throwing everything" at finding Stenberg, who is believed to have had access to handguns and was formerly an Australian Defence Force member who served overseas.
"It is a very, very tough gig ... They are working around the clock and they will continue to work around the clock in an effort to keep the public safe."
Police found Mr Stenberg's abandoned car in the area yesterday, acting on information from NSW police. They also sighted the fugitive.
Forensic tests are being conducted on a firearm, clothing and documents that were found in the vehicle.
Commander Bryson is confident Mr Stenberg is still on the peninsula but says it may take time to find him.
"It is heavy bush country where the vehicle was abandoned. (It) was a lucky break to locate the vehicle as quickly as we did," he said.
"A single individual making their way in that bushland is akin to the needle-in-a-haystack proposition."
He urged Mr Stenberg to contact police to arrange to be taken safely into custody.
He also warned residents in the area to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour.
Police say people should stay off rural roads around Darwin unless they need to travel.
The decapitated body of Mr Kelly was found in the kitchen of his River St home last Thursday. A hat had been placed where his head should have been.
Mr Stenberg bought a case of beer and ingratiated himself with the locals before he allegedly killed another man.
Residents in Broadwater recalled meeting him just days before he allegedly killed Edward “Ned” Kelly.
Broadwater Hotel licensee Dave Raymond told The Daily Telegraph a man who they believe to be Mr Stenberg bought a case of beer and hung out with the pub patrons for several hours, on Sunday, June 17.
“He played a game of pool here too … no one knew him, but they had a beer with him and he stayed for a while,” Mr Raymond said.
Police have not revealed which day Mr Kelly was murdered, only that his body was discovered on the afternoon of June 21.
Mr Raymond said none of the regular patrons in his pub knew of the man they drank and played pool with, but as soon as his photograph was released yesterday in relation to Mr Kelly’s alleged murder, they went to police.
“They’ve all given statements to police,” Mr Raymond said.
Locals said Mr Kelly lived a reclusive life in recent years, but was always friendly.
“He’d wave hello, or give you a nod…he was a pleasant man,” a neighbour said.
Bushland 20km south of Darwin remains in lockdown today while police continue to search for Mr Stenberg, who they suspect is armed with multiple weapons.
NSW Police homicide squad is investigating Mr Kelly’s murder.
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