Updated ,first published
A man was so brutally assaulted in an alleged botched drug robbery that he took the drastic action of jumping from his apartment balcony to save himself, but died from his catastrophic injuries, police say.
Three people have been charged with murder, while detectives hunt a fourth person wanted over Nathan Hill’s death.
The 44 year-old was declared dead by paramedics shortly after they received reports of shouting from the unit on Crane Road, Castle Hill, about 2.40am on Sunday. He was found in a garden outside the apartment building with significant injuries from the fall.
Detectives suspect two men, Todd Ryan, 38, and Viet Pham, 30, and a woman, Jade McCaskie, 34, met Hill under the pretence of a drug deal, before events quickly soured.
“Shortly before this male passed away, there was a violent confrontation,” Hills Police Area Commander Naomi Moore said on Friday. “We believe there is some link … there’s obviously a connection for them all to be in that complex at 2.30 in the morning.”
A metal pole was among the items seized from the apartment, which police suspect may have been used to critically injure Hill.
Police had intercepted communications in which Ryan allegedly planned the robbery, a court heard on Friday. Ryan was arrested at Castle Hill police station on Wednesday afternoon and refused bail.
In Parramatta Local Court, his Legal Aid defence lawyer argued he should be released from custody, pointing to the complexities of the legal case.
The defence argued the court would have to decide whether jumping off the balcony as a result of the alleged robbery was a “reasonable step” and whether a murder charge based on causation would be successful.
“There is a complex legal argument around causation,” the defence said, arguing Ryan may be held in jail for three to four years awaiting a trial.
However, the prosecution argued their case was strong, citing CCTV of the co-accused allegedly entering Hill’s residence, along with intercepted communication in which Ryan allegedly orchestrated the robbery.
The prosecution also argued Ryan had breached his bail for previous drug, break and enter, and driving charges and was likely to do so again.
Judge Katherine Thompson refused bail, noting that the charge was serious and carried a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Whether Hill broke the chain of causation was ultimately a “question for the jury”, Thompson said.
Pham and McCaskie were arrested at a home in Woolloomooloo on Thursday afternoon and taken to Kings Cross police station, where they were both charged with murder.
Both matters were heard in Local Court Bail Division on Friday. Neither applied for bail, and it was formally refused.
Jake Campbell, 31, is suspected to be the final member of the crew behind the alleged murder.
The Woolloomooloo man remains at large on Friday afternoon, after detectives issued an arrest warrant over the alleged murder.
Police haven’t ruled out laying additional charges on those already in custody as they search for Campbell.
One neighbour who asked not to be identified for safety reasons called the ordeal “quite terrifying” in an area with “a really nice group of neighbours”.
“Nothing like that happens around here,” they said.
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Daniel Lo Surdo is a breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He previously helmed the national news live blog for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.
Amber Schultz is a crime and justice reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
