Renewed appeal after man's body found near Jerilderie
Thursday, 03 July 2025 10:32:39 AM
Police are renewing their appeal for information as they continue to investigate the death of a man whose body was found on the side of the Newell Highway, about 11km south of Jerilderie, in the state’s south last month.
Officers attached to Murray River Police District were called to the scene about 12:35pm on Tuesday 17 June 2025, when the body of a man was found on the side of the road.
Police have now identified the man as 44-year-old Mark Akers.
He had suffered critical injuries, which police now believe are the result of being hit by a car. Strike Force Zaventem was established, and detectives are treating Mr Aker’s death as suspicious.
On Sunday 15 June 2025, Mark set off from Brisbane to Melbourne, via Goondiwindi in Queensland, Boggabilla and Forbes in New South Wales before stopping at Jerilderie, about 36km north of Finley.
Mark was last seen alive at a service station on Southey Street, Jerilderie, about 2.30am on Monday 16 June.
Police are re-appealing for information and have released an image of the car Mark was travelling in.
It’s described as a 2021-model 200 series black Toyota Landcruiser with distinctive pink stickers on the windscreen.
Police would like to speak to anyone who saw the Landcruiser, especially on the Newell Highway between Jerilderie and Finley in the early hours of Monday 16 June.
Mark’s father, John Akers, is urging the public to come forward to assist and find answers for his family.
“Mark was the kindest soul who would do anything for anyone and was sadly taken from us too soon,” Mr Akers said.
“We are devastated by his passing and miss Mark terribly. We need a swift resolution and peace for Mark.
“I would like to ask the public, or anyone, who perhaps witnessed anything unusual no matter how big or small, please contact the police,” Mr Akers said.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Finley Police on (03) 5898 4860 or Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.