Arrest made in Linda Reed cold case

A MAN accused of abducting and killing a 21-year-old Gold Coast woman in a random attack almost 40 years ago only came to the attention of investigators recently, police say.

A TEENAGER abducted and murdered a 21-year-old Gold Coast woman in a random attack in 1983, police have alleged after a breakthrough in one of Queensland’s longest-running murder mysteries.

Police said the accused, now aged 51, only came to investigators’ attention in recent years.

Newly-married Linda Reed disappeared during her lunch break while working at the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre on December 13, almost 35 years ago.

A 51-year-old, pictured in green above, was arrested on Wednesday over the death Linda Reed, inset.

Her body was discovered three days later along with her light-coloured Mazda sedan in bushland at Gaven Forest Estate.

She had been bound and gagged and allegedly sexually assaulted before her cruel death, which police today described as “a particularly horrific attack”.

Police on Wednesday charged Troy James O’Meara, 51, following a recent reopening of the investigation into Ms Reed’s murder.

O’Meara, sporting a long grey beard, made a brief appearance in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon.

Linda Reed.

Pictures: Supplied

He made no application for bail and was remanded in custody.

It will be alleged the then 17-year-old abducted, assaulted and killed Ms Reed in what police said was a random attack.

After her death, a large-scale appeal for witnesses and information followed, with police setting up exhibits with a mannequin, photographs and Linda’s car in a bid to jog the memory of shoppers.

A mannequin was set up at Pacific Fair when police were searching for answers into Linda’s murder.

Homicide Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Knight said the arrest marks the end of a methodical and extensive investigation.

“Linda’s abduction and murder was completely random and had such a devastating impact on her family and the local community,” he said on Wednesday.

Police and government medical officers at the scene where the body of Linda Reed was found.

“I commend the work of the officers who were involved in this case.

“We thank the family for their support throughout the investigation and it is our privilege to bring them the answers they deserve after all this time.”

Robert Reed, husband of Linda Reed, thanked police for not giving up during a press conference on Wednesday. Picture: AAP/Dave Hunt

Linda Reed’s family delivered an emotional “thank you” to detectives.

“It’s been 35 years since my wife was taken from me from … her parents, her brother,” husband Robert said Wednesday morning.

“I want to thank Queensland Police for never giving up.”

Linda’s mother Nancy Fein, brother Philipp Fein and husband Robert Reed pictured at a press conference after the arrest. Picture: AAP/Dave Hunt

Police revealed the breakthrough came via vast improvements in forensic science.

Homicide squad’s Det Snr Sgt Chris Knight said DNA was a “significant contribution to today’s arrest”.

The parents of Linda Reed, Nancy and Oskar Fein, with a picture of their daughter in 2010.

“I can tell you the gentleman in custody was not the subject of early investigations. It’s been in the relative recent past when it has come up … in recent years,” said Homicide Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Knight.

“DNA testing has obviously increased significantly in terms of the capacity and ability to detect and find DNA profiles,” he said.

Homicide Detective, Senior Sergeant Chris Knight said DNA was a “significant contribution” to the arrest. Picture: AAP/Dave Hunt

Another man was previously charged but found not guilty at trial.

In 2016, Linda’s mother, Nancy Fein — who still lives on the Gold Coast, made a fresh plea to find her daughter’s killer.

“My husband has passed away and as you can appreciate I’m getting older as well,” she told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

“It would be so nice to see justice done, it’s gone on for so long now and I’m running out of time.”