Accused murderers allegedly used drugs with teen before fatal fall

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Three men accused of murder after a teenager fell to his death from a fourth-floor Gold Coast balcony allegedly used drugs together before the botched robbery attempt that has left a Brisbane family devastated.

Jason Ryan Knowles, 22, Hayden Paul Kratzmann, 20, and Lachlan Paul Soper-Lagas, 18, have been remanded in custody and were not required to appear in court on Monday following the death of Cian English, 19, on Saturday.

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Police at the Gold Coast high-rise on Saturday after the teenager's fatal fall.Nine News

Mr English's body was found about 3.15am by a passer-by at the foot of the View Avenue building at Surfers Paradise.

Police say the teenager was trying to escape being robbed by the three men at knifepoint when he fell to his death.

It is understood Mr Knowles, Mr Kratzmann and Mr Soper-Lagas invited Mr English and a friend, who were also staying in the building, to party with them in their apartment.

The five men allegedly used drugs together before Mr Knowles, Mr Kratzmann and Mr Soper-Lagas demanded property from Mr English and his friend at knifepoint.

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Brisbane man Cian English, 19, who died in a fall from a Surfers Paradise balcony during the early hours of Saturday.

Mr English allegedly fell from the balcony during the incident. His friend is understood to have passed out under the influence of the drugs.

His family issued a statement on Sunday asking for privacy.

"Our family is devastated by this tragedy and respectfully ask for privacy as the police investigation into the circumstances continues," the family said.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described the weekend's incident as "absolutely awful".

"[It is] tragic … very concerning, and there is a family that is grieving," she said.

"It’s awful, absolutely awful. I just urge everyone, especially young people, to please be safe."

Police said on Saturday that officers found four male teens in a unit in "a semi-conscious state after consuming prescription drugs" when they arrived at the scene.

The Queensland Ambulance Service said paramedics took four patients to Robina Hospital, all of whom were in a stable condition.

Detectives were also looking into whether the Surfers Paradise hotel complied with COVID-19 restrictions when it allowed the young men to stay.

A police spokesperson said on Tuesday that investigations into any COVID-19 breaches were ongoing.

Mr Knowles and Mr Kratzmann's cases were briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, where they were adjourned for a committal call over in Southport Magistrates Court on August 4.

Mr Soper-Lagas' case was mentioned in Beenleigh Magistrate's Court. It was adjourned to be re-mentioned on Tuesday in the same court.

All three men are also charged with two counts of armed robbery and two counts of deprivation of liberty.

With AAP