Rene Latimore investigation: Sarina and Koumala community react to homicide probe

Two close-knit towns are grappling with the idea of a homicide investigation in their back yard, with painful memories of another tragedy bubbling to the surface.

Two close-knit communities are in shock and closed ranks as police conduct a homicide investigation into the baffling disappearance of Koumala woman Rene Latimore.

Police strongly suspect a body found on a rural property near Ilbilbie on Sunday is that of the missing mother who vanished earlier this month.

Sarina and Koumala residents were shocked at the news a homicide investigation has opened up in their sleepy community.

While many knew Rene Latimore had been missing, most residents said there had not been “a whole lot of talk about it” until the recent announcement.

Tandara Hotel manager Brad Bettiens said there were always plenty of things happening in the region.

‘We will retain the crime scene until we are 100 per cent certain we have gone over everything we need to’. Picture: Daryl Wright

“There are always things, but people don’t talk about it, just like any other small community in Queensland,” Mr Bettiens said.

But news of the homicide investigation had shaken things up for Mr Bettiens.

“It’s a bit scary, a bit close to home,” Mr Bettiens said.

“It will rock Koumala.”

Mr Bettiens’ employee Iesha Dobbs, 25, was a relative newcomer to the region, having just clocked in three years.

Ilbilbie, 30 August 2021, Homicide police investigate the suspected murder of Rene Latimore at an Ilbilbie Cattle property. Picture: Daryl Wright

“You don’t expect that in a town like this,” Ms Dobbs said.

“It’s scary if it’s murder, the thought there could be someone who could do that in this town, it could be someone you know.”

Alcorn Bakery owner Michelle Rennie has been a Sarina local for about 20 years and said the news would be “disturbing” to the close-knit community.

“I don’t want to think about it, it’s only a small town,” Mrs Rennie said.

‘It will rock Koumala’.

But for others, the news of the homicide investigation into Rene Latimore’s disappearance has brought up memories of another chilling death in the region’s history.

“I’ve dealt with murder in this town before,” one Sarina woman said.

She said the small community had been shocked with a sudden death of her high-school friend Joslyn Willan 25 years ago.

“It took a long time for people to move on from that, a long time.”

Sarina Hotel bartender Tammie Wallace was of a similar mind.

“It reminds me of when I was in high school and a girl was killed, Joslyn,” Ms Wallace said.

“We were just stunned, knowing that could happen.”

Further details on the grisly find have emerged, as The Courier-Mail understands the woman’s body was located with multiple physical restraints.

Police are continuing to appeal for any information people may have any information on the case of Rene Latimore.

Ms Latimore’s last confirmed sighting was August 9 and a formal missing persons report made on August 18 before a major breakthrough on Sunday when police found a body on a property recently bought by Mackay Councillor Marty Bella.

Police are still searching the property despite the sudden downpour drenching the Sarina and Koumala region with 81mm in the past 24 hours.

Mackay Detective Inspector Tom Armitt said the weather was just part of the job and the search and forensic examination around the property where the body was located would continue.

“We will retain the crime scene until we are 100 per cent certain we have gone over everything we need to,” Inspector Armitt said.