Police are investigating a suspicious death after a man was found unresponsive in a shopping centre carpark on the Pacific Highway at Charlestown this morning.
- Incident occurred about 9.50am, Wednesday 20 August 2025
- Location: Pacific Highway shopping centre carpark, Charlestown
- Man died before emergency services arrived
- Another man was seen running south along the Pacific Highway
- Police urging anyone with dashcam or phone footage to contact Belmont Police Station
Emergency services responded shortly before 10am following reports of an assault in the carpark of the busy Pacific Highway shopping precinct.
The man – who has not yet been identified – was found unresponsive and died before emergency crews arrived at the scene.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene, with forensic teams currently examining the area. The death is being treated as suspicious.
Police said another man was seen running south along the Pacific Highway shortly after the incident. At this stage, no further details have been released about the individual or the circumstances of the assault.
Investigators are now appealing for assistance from the public. Drivers with dashcam recordings and anyone with mobile phone footage from the area around 9.50am are being urged to come forward.
“Anyone who may have information about the incident – or was in the area at the time with any available dashcam/mobile phone footage – is urged to contact Belmont Police Station,” NSW Police said in a statement.
Residents and shoppers in the Charlestown area are being encouraged to remain vigilant, but police are reminding the community not to approach anyone they suspect may be involved. Instead, they should pass information directly to investigators.
As the investigation continues, police are expected to remain on scene throughout the day. More details will be released once the victim has been formally identified and the circumstances of the incident become clearer.