Meaghan Rose murder: Keith Lees to face witnesses in Sunshine Coast cold case
Evidence and testimony spanning three decades in the cold case murder of Meaghan Rose on the Sunshine Coast will be tested in open court.
The testimony of several witnesses will be tested in cross examination in the cold case murder of a woman on the Sunshine Coast.
Keith Lees’ defence team and the prosecution will question up to 14 witnesses, almost 30 years after the alleged murder of Meaghan Louise Rose in 1997, Maroochydore Magistrates Court was told on Monday.
Ms Rose’s death was first deemed a suicide after she was found dead at the base of the Point Cartwright cliffs in Mooloolaba on July 18, 1997.
The 25-year-old’s cause of death was reopened by Queensland Police Service’s homicide squad cold case team in 2022.
Their investigations led to Lees’ arrest at the semirural suburb of Dural, 36km northwest of Sydney following a tip off to police in January this year.
He was charged with murder and has been in custody since his arrest.
His defence solicitor Kylie Anderson said she and police prosecutor Mark Burrell agreed on the terms of the cross examination of more than a dozen witnesses.
Ms Anderson estimated it would take between two to three days, where witnesses would be questioned on their statements given over the past 30 years.
The court was told some would be coming from interstate, with veteran barrister Simon Lewis briefed as counsel for the defence.
Acting Senior Sergeant Burrell said police may also inquire about an external representation for the committal hearing.
Magistrate Chris Callaghan listed the cross examination to begin on April 29 next year.
Lees was remanded in custody but will appear in person for the hearing in 2026.
