Murdered singer's mum expected call on Christmas Day

Tony WIlliams. Photo / Supplied

The mother of a New Zealand man murdered in Queensland was expecting to get a call from him on Christmas Day.

But his bashed body had been found in his home the day before.

Tony Williams, from Tauranga, was found dead by a friend and his wife at the Mermaid Waters unit complex on Sunshine Boulevard just before 2pm on Christmas Eve.

Detective Superintendent David Hutchinson said Mr Williams' death followed an altercation in which he was hit with an object.

"He was struck around the head and the body and as a result of those injuries he has died."

Police are continuing to interview neighbours as part of the investigation.

Mr Williams was the lead singer of a band, Sex 'N' Chocolate, that played weekly at a local nightclub. By day, he worked as an orderly at Gold Coast Hospital.

When he failed to turn up for a regular gig, a friend and his wife went to the Sunshine Boulevard complex and found him dead in the lounge.

It appeared he was murdered soonafter being dropped at his unit by afemale friend, Mr Hutchinson told goldcoast.com.au.

Police were yet to make an arrest, but believed the killer might have been waiting for him to arrive home.

Mr Williams' mother told One News last night she would miss his silly humour and constant singing.

She said his last message to her said: "Mum, stop sending me those stupid texts, you know I love you." He said he would ring her for Christmas.

His father was flying to Australia to bring his body home to Tauranga.

Well-known Australians have taken to Twitter to pay tribute to Mr Williams.

Former Kiwis league captain Roy Asotasi said, "Rest in peace Tony Williams ... It was privilege 2 have known you and see u perform."

Pop star Ricki-Lee asked the public for help in the investigation: "If anyone knows anything - please come forward. My friend has been tragically taken away from us far too soon."