Michael McGurk, the Sydney businessman at the centre of a legal property debate, and one who only last week told media that he feared for his life, has been shot dead.
McGurk, aged 46 and father of four, was shot once in the head around 6.30pm last night as he left his black Mercedes outside the family home in Cremorne, on Sydney’s north shore.
Mr McGurk’s 9-year-old son witnessed the execution and remains in shock. His father was still alive when police arrived but died in shortly after. His body was still where he fell in his driveway late last night as authorities erected tents and floodlights around the scene.
Mr McGurk first came to public attention some 3 years ago over attempts to sue the Sultan of Brunei, who he claimed had reneged on an agreement to purchase a miniature, jewel-encased Koran. He subsequently made his name as a ‘lender of last resort’ and was believed to have had several enemies.
Recently he had been at the centre of an ongoing, ugly dispute which had him due to appear in court over his placing of caveats on properties owned by Ben and Adam Tilley.
He had also been facing two charges of fire-bombing property, one owned by Adam Tilley, and several charges of assault which were dropped only a fortnight ago, much to the disappointment of police.