Rene Latimore murder arrest: 17-year-old boy charged

Watch: Police have not ruled out further arrests after a teenage boy was formally charged with single mother Rene Latimore’s alleged brutal death on the family property south of Mackay.

A Mackay teenager has been arrested and charged with the murder of Rene Latimore whose body was found on a property near Ilbilbie in August after her family had earlier reported her missing.

The 17-year-old boy was formally charged today and appeared in Mackay Magistrates Court this morning. He remains in custody.

Rene Latimore was last seen in Koumala before her body was found on the family property at Ilbilbie.

Ms Latimore, a West Mackay mother, was reported missing from the Koumala area and a police search found a body weeks later at Ilbilbie on August 29.

Forensic tests identified the deceased as the 31-year-old woman who had been reported missing from the Koumala area on August 18.

Police arrested the teen without incident after what Detective Acting Inspector Jack Savage described as a painstaking investigation.

Queensland Police issued a public plea for information about this Toyota Landcruiser in possible connection to the suspected homicide of Rene Latimore

But he said he could not divulge details of the operation at this stage but noted vehicles earlier flagged as being involved would form part of the investigation.

He said Rene’s family was experiencing “a bit of sadness and a bit of closure” since they had been informed.

“They are dealing with the outcome of it in their own way,” he said.

Detective Acting Inspector Jack Savage says a 17 year old has been charged with the murder of Rene Latimore. Picture: Heidi Petith

Katie Marchetti earlier told this publication she wanted her younger sister “by one year” to be known for the fearless life she led, not its violent end or makeshift burial on a 271ha cattle property south of ­Mackay.

“My sister was a person,” she said.

Rene Latimore's sister Katie Marchetti (nee Latimore). Picture: Lillian Watkins

“Very little phased her. I don’t know who could have done this to her – she wasn’t afraid of anyone. She was honestly the most easygoing person I’ve ever met.”

Acting Inspector Savage said investigations were ongoing and police had not ruled out further arrests.

“We never keep a closed mind or put the blinkers on. The investigation is ongoing,” he said.

Rene Latimore celebrates her 10th birthday with her family. Rene Latimore was found dead on the Latimore family property on Schirmers Rd at Ilbilbie on Sunday, August 29, 2021. Picture: Katie Marchetti

“(This arrest) doesn’t mean it stops, we have to consider all the other pieces of information that come in.

“If that takes us to another avenue of investigation we will go down this path.”

Acting Inspector Savage thanked investigators and calls from members of the public helping with the case.

“These investigations are not easy and the impact on people is immense,” he said.