Major breakthrough in Aussie cold case as police swoop over alleged murder of Meaghan Louise Rose almost 30 years after her death

By HARRISON CHRISTIAN FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

The former partner of Queensland woman Meaghan Louise Rose has been arrested almost 30 years after her body was found at the foot of a cliff. 

Keith Lees, 72, was arrested at a home on Kenthurst Road, in Dural in Sydney‘s northwest, at 8am on Thursday. 

He was taken into custody on a warrant for an alleged murder in Queensland in 1997, NSW Police said. 

Lees has been on the run from police since the warrant was issued in July 2023. 

Police took him to Hornsby Police Station on Thursday where he was charged with the outstanding warrant.

NSW Police also laid fresh charges against him as they allege he tried to bite an officer while in custody.

Lees was charged with assault police officer in execution of duty without aggravated bodily harm, deal with identity information to commit etc indictable offence, and possess identity information to commit etc indictable offence.

He was refused bail and was due to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Friday. 

Meaghan Louise Rose, 25, was found at the foot of a Point Cartwright cliff at Mooloolaba in southern Queensland in July, 1997

Meaghan’s former partner Keith Lees, 72, was arrested at a home in Dural in Sydney’s northwest, at 8am on Thursday

Lees cannot be charged with the murder of Ms Rose in NSW however Queensland Police are expected to apply for his extradition to charge him with the offence there.

The arrest comes 27 years after the body of Meaghan Louise Rose, 25, was found at the foot of a Point Cartwright cliff at Mooloolaba in southern Queensland in July, 1997.

Her death was initially deemed non-suspicious and no inquest was held.

But the case was reopened in 2009 amid revelations that Lees had taken out a life insurance policy in Ms Rose’s name before she died. 

Homicide detectives visited a home in Victoria in June 2023 to speak with Lees, then aged 70, in relation to their investigation.

A day later he had disappeared, with his car found abandoned at Portland.

In July 2023, police issued an arrest warrant for Lees and continued to search for him. He was spotted on CCTV around Victoria in the ensuing days.

Authorities said at the time Lees may have been seeking casual work in the farming and fruit picking industries. The public was warned not to approach him.

In July 2023, police issued an arrest warrant for Lees and continued to search for him. He was spotted on CCTV around Victoria in the ensuing days

Mr Lees is pictured boarding a bus in an image shared by Queensland Police

Lees previously served 18 years in jail for the 2001 murder of Barry Waters, whose headless body he dumped in bushland in Reefton, Victoria.

He had been a friend of Mr Waters and started a romantic affair with the man’s wife.  

Read More

  • Related Posts

    Major update in disappearance of Melbourne man, 43, who vanished a year ago after driving away in his distinctive gold car

    Adrian Romeo’s remains have been found The discovery caps off a months-long search READ MORE: Hadi Nazari has vanished AGAIN By HOLLY HALES FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: 21:54 EST, 10…

    How major US stock indexes fared Friday, 1/17/2025

    U.S. stock indexes rallied to close out their best week in two months ByThe Associated Press January 17, 2025, 4:17 PM U.S. stock indexes rallied to close out their best…

    You Missed

    Justin Baldoni’s cutting response to Blake Lively as she sues him for sexual harassment on set of It Ends With Us

    • By admin
    • February 15, 2025
    • 1 views
    Justin Baldoni’s cutting response to Blake Lively as she sues him for sexual harassment on set of It Ends With Us

    Blake Lively sues It Ends With Us costar Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment as shocking claims are revealed

    • By admin
    • February 15, 2025
    • 1 views
    Blake Lively sues It Ends With Us costar Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment as shocking claims are revealed

    Moment German chancellor Olaf Scholz is heckled by angry mob in Magdeburg as questions remain over ‘warnings about Christmas market attack suspect’

    • By admin
    • February 15, 2025
    • 1 views
    Moment German chancellor Olaf Scholz is heckled by angry mob in Magdeburg as questions remain over ‘warnings about Christmas market attack suspect’

    The generation games! Young and old play and laugh together in a wonderful social experiment that will warm your heart at Christmas

    • By admin
    • February 15, 2025
    • 1 views
    The generation games! Young and old play and laugh together in a wonderful social experiment that will warm your heart at Christmas

    About turn! SNP goes into retreat after they ‘forget’ to include Union Flag in armed forces tribute event

    • By admin
    • February 15, 2025
    • 1 views
    About turn! SNP goes into retreat after they ‘forget’ to include Union Flag in armed forces tribute event

    Public backlash after missing GOP congresswoman Kay Granger is found in dementia care facility

    Public backlash after missing GOP congresswoman Kay Granger is found in dementia care facility