Man charged with murder after allegedly throwing Michael Chesworth, 74, off Yeronga balcony

An elderly Brisbane man who was allegedly picked up and thrown to his death from a balcony was undergoing treatment for cancer, a neighbour says.

A 49-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Michael Chesworth, 74, after he suffered fatal head injuries at his Yeronga unit complex on Sunday afternoon.

Chesworth was in his unit with his wife when Raymond John Binge — a stranger to the couple — knocked on their door.

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Binge and Chesworth were in a brief argument before Binge “has physically picked up the deceased and thrown him head first over the railing”, Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said.

“This is an unprovoked, callous and heartless attack on an elderly man enjoying a Sunday afternoon with his wife,” said Massingham.

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Before allegedly killing Chesworth, Binge had been going door-to-door at the unit complex and “aggressively” confronting residents, the detective said.

Neighbour Tracey Clancy said Chesworth regularly went to hospital for treatment for lung cancer.

“They didn’t deserve that. He’s in his own home, ready to watch the (NRL) grand final probably,” she said.

Another neighbour described him as a “good friend” and a “fantastic guy”.

Chesworth’s wife heard the alleged argument but did not see him being thrown.

Michael Chesworth suffered fatal injuries at his Yeronga unit complex. Credit: FacebookChesworth died after being thrown off a balcony at a Yeronga unit complex. Credit: 7NEWS

He suffered critical head injuries and died in hospital.

Police searched the complex and found Binge in a “unit he does not normally occupy”, according to Massingham.

He has not been co-operative with police and has exercised his right to silence, the detective said.

Investigators have launched an appeal for witnesses, including some residents of the complex who have not yet been interviewed.

Binge was due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.

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