In a stunning development nearly three decades in the making, a 72-year-old man has been extradited to Queensland and charged with the alleged murder of his former partner, Meaghan Rose. The 25-year-old’s body was discovered at the base of the picturesque yet perilous Point Cartwright Cliffs in Mooloolaba on July 18, 1997. At the time, her tragic death was ruled a suicide. However, the case took a dramatic turn in 2022 when detectives reopened the investigation as a potential homicide.
The accused, Keith Lees, had been on the run for approximately 18 months after Queensland police attempted to question him in relation to Rose’s death in 2023. Evading authorities, Lees was believed to have relocated from Victoria to the Northern Territory before finally settling in Sydney under an assumed identity. His flight from the law came to an end last week when he was apprehended in the north-western suburb of Dural.
A Complex Web of Deception
Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell shed light on the intricate tapestry of deception woven by Lees during his time as a fugitive. “It was media coverage that assisted a small group of people to identify this man,” she revealed. Lees had reportedly received aid from various organizations, including religious groups, though Kentwell emphasized that these entities were likely unaware of his true identity and the gravity of the allegations against him.
A Family’s Anguish
The toll of the past 28 years has been immeasurable for Rose’s family. Her father passed away in 2014, never witnessing the potential for justice to be served. Rose’s 88-year-old mother, battling advanced dementia, remains in palliative care, her chance to see closure in her daughter’s case fading with each passing day.
A Plea for Information
As the wheels of justice slowly begin to turn, investigators are imploring those with knowledge of the circumstances surrounding Rose’s death to come forward. Detective Kentwell underscored the importance of community cooperation, noting that the $500,000 reward for information leading to a conviction still stands.
“It is never too late to come forward,” Kentwell urged. “Relationships and loyalties change, people who were once scared may no longer be, and we’d encourage those people to come forward.”
At the time of her death, Rose had been living with Lees, nearly two decades her senior, and his son in Marcoola on the Sunshine Coast. The trio had relocated to the area from Victoria shortly before the tragedy unfolded.
The Path Forward
As Lees faces the Brisbane Magistrates Court, the path to uncovering the truth about what transpired on that fateful day in July 1997 remains fraught with unanswered questions. For Rose’s loved ones and the community at large, the hope for long-overdue answers persists, even as time marches relentlessly onward.
This chilling case serves as a poignant reminder that the pursuit of justice knows no expiration date. The tireless efforts of investigators and the unwavering support of those who refuse to let Meaghan Rose’s story be forgotten offer a glimmer of hope that the truth, no matter how deeply buried, may finally come to light.
