A man wanted over a cold case murder in Queensland more than 27 years ago will be extradited after NSW Police dropped charges against him
Keith Lees, 72, did not appear before Hornsby Local Court from custody at Silverwater prison on Thursday in relation to a warrant for his extradition to Queensland.
Mr Lees was arrested for the alleged murder of Meaghan Louise Rose at a property on Kenhurst Rd in Dural last week by virtue of an outstanding Queensland police warrant.
A NSW Police prosecutor told the magistrate on Thursday Mr Lees was “under restraint” at MRRC prison, and would be taken from there to Sydney Airport that day.
From there, Mr Lees would be flown to the Sunshine State and taken to the Brisbane city police watch house before appearing before a Brisbane courthouse on Friday.
Keith Lees, 72, has been arrested in Dural over the alleged murder of Meaghan Louise Rose in 1997. Picture: Queensland Police
On 18 July 1997, 25-year-old Meaghan Rose was found deceased at the base of Point Cartwright Cliffs at Mooloolaba. Picture: Queensland Police
Further charges related to alleged fraud and an alleged attack by Mr Lees on a police officer during the execution of their duty in NSW were withdrawn police on Thursday.
The three charges were formally dismissed.
Ms Rose’s death was deemed a suicide after her body was found at the base of Point Cartwright Cliffs at Mooloolaba, but was re-examined by cold case police in 2023.
At the time of her death, the 25-year-old had been in a relationship with Mr Lees who Queensland police said had been initially questioned in Victoria in 2023.
Her body had been found at the base of Point Cartwright Cliffs at Mooloolaba.
However, shortly after the interview, Mr Lees’ car was found abandoned at Portland in Victoria on June 26, 2023, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Mr Lees was earlier facing allegations that in NSW he assaulted a police officer, and dealt with and possessed identity information to commit an indictable offence.
Court documents seen by NewsWire revealed police would have alleged Mr Lees was living in subsidised housing in northern Sydney between November 1, 2023 and his arrest.
Police would have further alleged he had was in possession of documentation claiming he went by David Japaljarri, and was about 16 years younger than he actually was.