Gold Coast councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden charged with murder of mother's partner
A Gold Coast city councillor charged with murdering his mother's partner will plead not guilty amid claims of domestic abuse.
Councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden was charged with murder after police were called to a disturbance at a residence in Arundel about 3pm on Wednesday.
Emergency services found a 58-year-old man inside the property who was declared dead.
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Gold Coast city councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden has been charged with murder. 9News
Bayldon-Lumsden was arrested at the scene.
The councillor did not appear as the charge was mentioned in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Lawyer Jason Murakami entered a plea of not guilty on the councillor's behalf.
"I am instructed to enter a plea of not guilty to the charge," Murakami told the court.
Murakami said his client had no criminal history and an application for bail is expected to be lodged on Thursday to be heard in the Brisbane Supreme Court as soon as possible.
The matter was adjourned for mention on September 8.
Outside the court, Murakami confirmed his client would contest the charge, amid claims of domestic violence against multiple family members.
It is understood the victim was the long-term de facto partner of the councillor's mother.
The body of a 58-year-old man was found at an Arundel home. 9News
The first-time councillor was elected in 2020, becoming the youngest councillor in the city's history.
The former schoolteacher had been living with his mother and at the Arundel address, according to neighbours.
"My first fear was something had happened to Ryan because he is a beautiful, beautiful person, so I was hoping nothing happened to him," one neighbour told the ABC.
"He would be the one I know the most. He's very active in the community in a really, really lovely way. Everyone knows and loves him.
"He was very active in his sister's upbringing ... always mowing the lawns, always the one tending to the house."
The charges have rocked Gold Coast City Council, with fellow councillors stunned by the reports.
"This is a complete shock," one told AAP on Thursday.
"He was always very respectful, very quiet. He's a lovely guy who just wanted to represent his community.
"We are in total shock that this has happened."
Gold Coast City Council has declined to comment.
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