Rene Latimore murder investigation: New photo could prove crucial

Identifying the driver of a four-wheel drive seen leaving the Ilbilbie property where single-mother Rene Latimore was murdered is crucial in finding her killer, police say.

Identifying the driver of a Toyota LandCruiser spotted leaving Koumala has become a focal point in uncovering Rene Latimore’s killer.

Farm cam footage showed the four-wheel drive on the Latimore property on Saturday, August 9, the night Ms Latimore was murdered.

It was later spotted driving away from a property on Turnors Paddock Rd in Koumala on the morning of August 10.

Mackay Detective Inspector Tom Armitt said the driver of the vehicle was a person of interest in the investigation.

He said police strongly suspected someone knew who was driving the vehicle the night Ms Latimore was murdered and urged them to come forward.

“It’s really crucial we get this information, the resolution of this case really revolves around finding out who was in the vehicle at that time,” Inspector Armitt said.

“Rene Latimore was a young mother and a beloved member of the Latimore family.”

Queensland Police believe this Toyota LandCruiser is linked to the suspected homicide of Rene Latimore. Picture: Police Queensland

Police believe Ms Latimore’s killer used the Latimore family farm’s equipment to dispose of her body, suggesting the young mother knew the person.

Ms Latimore’s body was found restrained on an Ilbilbie property south of Mackay on August 29, weeks after she had last been seen alive on August 7.

Detective Inspector Tom Armitt said Ms Latimore was believed to have been murdered on the evening of August 9 or in the early morning of August 10.

While Inspector Armitt did not say how Ms Latimore died, he said she had suffered injuries and was believed to have been assaulted.

A grainy farm camera photo of a four-wheel drive leaving the Ilbilbie property the night Rene Latimore was murdered was released, with police suggesting it could be critical to the investigation.

Queensland Police believe this Toyota LandCruiser is linked to the suspected homicide of Rene Latimore. Picture: Police Queensland

“To have someone entering that property on the night that we believe she was murdered, it’s significant,” Inspector Armitt said.

He said investigations suggested there were no signs of disturbances on the property and the person was able to access different areas on the farm without raising any alarm.

“We strongly believe Rene knew her killer, and that the persons were close to her,” Inspector Armitt said.

Detectives investigating the suspected homicide of Rene Latimore have released an image of a vehicle travelling on Schirmers Rd Koumala in the hope the public can help identify it. Picture: Queensland Police Service

He said the persons appeared to have a good knowledge of the equipment on the property which was likely used in disposing of Ms Latimore’s body,

“We have strong suspicions on persons of interest,” Inspector Armitt said.

Rene Latimore’s body was found on Sunday afternoon at the Ilbilbie property where she’d been staying with her father, stepmother and 14-year-old son. Picture: Daryl Wright

Mackay police declared the homicide investigation on August 30, the day after Ms Latimore’s body was found on the Ilbilbie property launching an examination of the farm and home which had been owned by the Latimore family.

Detectives conducted extensive inquiries tracking the 31-year-old’s mother’s movements in the days leading up to her death, finding CCTV of her last confirmed sighting at a Sarina supermarket about 8.30am on Saturday August 7.

A formal missing person’s report was filed on August 20.

Police have launched sporadic pleas for anyone with any knowledge on what happened to Rene Latimore to come forward.

The previous appeal came from a photo detectives said showed a vehicle driving on Schirmers Rd in Koumala on the evening of August 9.

The photo shows splashes of light appearing to be the headlights and tail lights of a four-wheel drive.

It appears to show the vehicle driving past a star-picket fence lined with overgrown grass.

Police are appealing for the public to help identify the vehicle or its possible occupants.

The appeal prior came when Ms Latimore’s sister Katie Marchetti shared her fear “the worst was yet to come”.

Anyone with information about the vehicle or Rene Latimore’s disappearances can phone Policelink on 131 444 do so anonymously via Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.