EXCLUSIVE
The trio accused of kidnapping and shooting a man before leaving him naked and bleeding in a remote, beautiful wooded area are all parents of young children.
Nykeeta Jones, 38, Dahkota Harris, 27, and Matthew McDonald, 25, allegedly kidnapped Joshua Dempsey, 32, from a home in Port Macquarie on the New South Wales mid-north coast around at 6 pm on November 16.
The trio allegedly took him 30 kilometers west to Bago Bluff National Park and then shot him several times in the arms and legs before leaving him to bleed out.
He was found the next morning by a jogger who called emergency services. He was treated by paramedics and rushed to hospital in serious condition.
Jones and McDonald were arrested several days later in WA in a dramatic arrest caught on video, while Harris was detained more than two weeks later in New South Wales.
Now, Daily Mail Australia can reveal that all three accused are young parents living in the Mid North Coast region.
After growing up in the area, McDonald, a tradesman and gym enthusiast, briefly moved to Perth a few years ago before recently returning to New South Wales.
Nykeeta Jones, 38, has been charged with kidnapping, attempted murder and firearms offences.
Police will allege Dempsey was taken to Bago Bluff National Park (pictured) and shot
Matthew McDonald, 25, has also been charged with the alleged kidnapping.
Photos posted on social media show him flexing his muscles at the gym and posing for selfies in his high-visibility work uniform.
He is also a fan of Australian rap, frequently sharing videos of himself spitting lines in an amateur rap Facebook group.
Like McDonald, Jones also comes from a large local family.
Social media posts reveal she is a poker fan who played in tournaments at the local RSL and performed “menial tasks” for a shipping company.
Photos posted online show her posing for selfies in lingerie and celebrating the holiday season with her family in matching Christmas outfits.
Meanwhile, Harris, who police described as “known to them,” frequently shared photos online of her being affectionate with her two children, her dog and her partner.
The happy shots show the young family celebrating birthdays, school milestones, enjoying trips away from home and dressing up for Halloween.
Police have not yet revealed what they will allege motivated the attack while the case remains before the courts.
Dahkota Harris, 27, (pictured) was arrested after allegedly spending more than two weeks on the run.
Photos posted online portray her as a family-oriented young mother.
Police are seen surrounding Jones and McDonald’s vehicle in Balladonia.
Police allegedly found a sawed-off rifle when they searched the vehicle. The arrest appears in the photo.
However, police will allege Jones and McDonald fled to Western Australia in a 2014 Holden SUV after the kidnapping before being detained by police in a dramatic arrest.
Five days after the alleged kidnapping, their van was besieged by WA Police officers in Balladonia, just south of Kalgoorlie, after local police received a tip from their NSW counterparts that the couple had abandoned the state.
During a search of the vehicle, which had mechanical problems, police allegedly found a loaded sawed-off shotgun.
The two were taken to Perth and extradited to New South Wales several days later, where they were charged.
Harris was allegedly on the run for two weeks until she was arrested during a vehicle stop on Macleay Way, South Kempsey, on December 2.
Police will allege she was found lying in the back seat of the vehicle.
Jones, McDonald and Harris have been charged with alleged kidnapping and attempted murder.
Jones has also been charged with possession of a handgun (not a pistol) without authorization, possession of ammunition without a license/permit/authority and possession of an unauthorized pistol.
All three defendants have been denied bail and remain in custody.
Jones and McDonald will face Port Macquarie Local Court on February 20 and January 22 respectively, while Harris is due to appear at Kempsey Local Court on January 23.