Benjamin Jansen sentenced to nine years’ jail for 1976 murder of Rex Kable Keen

A 73-year-old Queenslander who lived as a free man for more than four decades after killing a man in 1976 has finally been brought to justice.

The family of Rex Kable Keen pictured leaving the Supreme Court with cold case detectives, Brisbane 18th October 2022. (Image/Josh Woning)

A 73-year-old who lived as a free man for more than four decades after killing a man in 1976 has finally been brought to justice 46 years later.

Benjamin Jansen was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for the unlawful killing of Bowen man Rex Kable Keen, whose body was discovered by cleaners in a Brisbane hotel room in August 1976.

Mr Keen’s homicide went unsolved for decades and his heartbroken mother died not ever knowing what happened to her beloved son.

But DNA discovered on a dirty tissue in Mr Keen’s room at Lennons Plaza Hotel helped lead cold case detectives to Jansen who was arrested in Bundaberg in 2019, 42 years after the death.

Benjamin Jansen was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for the unlawful killing of Bowen man Rex Kable Keen.

Justice Declan Kelly on Tuesday sentenced Jansen to nine years imprisonment with immediate parole eligibility after taking into account the 1205 days he has already served in custody since his arrest.

The court heard after initial denials about involvement in Mr Keen’s death, Jansen later admitted he had used a heavy camera to repeatedly hit him to the head.

Jansen claimed the pair had dinner in Mr Keen’s room and that he had attacked the Bowen hotel manager as an “over-reaction” to what he claimed was an “unwanted homosexual advance”.

“The advance comprised Mr Keen proposing that you pay for dinner with your body indicating that he wanted to take your picture and approaching you with a camera,” Justice Kelly said.

“Your over-reaction occurred in a different era when homosexuality was unlawful and perceived differently by some parts of society.

“At the time what was called gay panic remained a partial defence to a charge of murder, however as your counsel frankly conceded there was absolutely no excuse for the way you reacted in response to Mr Keen’s advance.”

Murder victim Rex Keen.

Pictures: Supplied

Justice Kelly said Mr Keen had been a hardworking man and a much loved son, brother and uncle.

“Mr Keen’s mother died never knowing why or circumstances in which her son was killed, that is a particularly sad and disturbing feature about this case it was always within your power to come forward and explain what occurred but you did not,” he said.

He found Mr Jansen had shown remorse for his actions, and noted he would have had a harder time in jail than most prisoners due to his poor health.

In a statement, Mr Keen’s family welcomed the sentence.

“Too often, in violent cases such as this, the perpetrator’s actions or motive are focused on, resulting in misperceptions or speculation which only disempowers victims,” they wrote.

“Today, we would like to use this opportunity to pay tribute to Rex as he was a hardworking, resilient and respectable person, who was highly regarded by his family and community.

Cold Case picture of Rex Kable Keen, found murdered at Lennons Plaza Hotel on August 13, 1976.

Rex Keen was found murdered at the Lennons Hotel in Brisbane.

“The heinous, violent and unjustifiable attack on Rex Kable Keen has been a source of suffering for our family. However, the prosecution and sentencing of the perpetrator has brought about some closure for us.”

Mr Keen’s family thanked the cold case investigators and legal team who delivered justice for their family.

“We hope that the outcome of this cold case investigation provides a glimpse of hope to those families who are yet to have answers or justice in ongoing cold case criminal investigations,” they said.

“Its successful closure was possible due to the many witnesses that contributed valuable information, and it is our hope, that this case inspires others to come forward with any information that may help police investigators.”