Marty Bella cleared as suspect in Rene Latimore murder probe
Marty Bella has been officially cleared as a suspect in the killing of Rene Latimore as police release an image of a vehicle fleeing the property the night she died.
Police & Courts
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Former Origin great Marty Bella has been officially cleared as a suspect in the murder of Rene Latimore after her body was found restrained on his newly purchased property.
This comes as police released a grainy image of a four-wheel drive fleeing the property the night she died which detectives believe could hold the key to finding her killer.
The Mackay Regional Councillor said it was a “tremendous relief” to be officially cleared.
“Today I was told I am officially no longer a suspect in the murder that occurred on my newly purchased property three months ago,” Mr Bella said.
Police believe Ms Latimore was murdered sometime in the evening of August 9 or early morning of August 10 – her body was found at an Ilbilbie property now owned by Mr Bella.
At this stage it is unknown how she was killed, but police have confirmed she suffered injuries and was believed to have been assaulted.
“To those whose faith in me never wavered, who supported me in the black time, I am forever indebted, you are family,” Mr Bella said in a post on social media.
He also said for those who doubted him – “you are no longer part of my world”.
Mr Bella said a number of people had even used the circumstances to spread false information about him in relation to the murder.
“It was your chance to drive the dagger into my back,” he said.
Mr Bella said although he knew he was not in any strife “it doesn’t stop you feeling that way”.
In the past three months he said police had interviewed him a number of times including for seven hours.
A missing person’s report was filed on August 20.
Mackay police announced there was a homicide investigation on August 30, the day after Ms Latimore’s body was found on the Schirmers Rd property, which had been owned by the Latimore family but sold to Mr Bella a long-term neighbour.
Mr Bella said the past three months had been rough but if one good thing came out of it, he knew who had his back.
“I’ve had some really good people who have stuck by,” he said.
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