Investigators left ‘no stone unturned’ in tracking down Dave Masters’ alleged killers

A lead investigator has revealed how police used “every single resource” available to track down Dave Masters’s accused killers and how they lured one of the offenders out of hiding.

A lead investigator has revealed how police lured one of David Masters’ accused killers out of hiding, using “every single resource” available to track down the two alleged offenders.

In a tribute journal published by Queensland Police Union, Detective Inspector Tim Leadbetter said there were “high fives among the team” when the passenger of the car that fatally struck Sen Const Masters on June 26 was taken into custody.

“That first arrest was inspirational,” Det Insp Leadbetter told the union.

Senior Constable David Masters with his beloved troop horse, Manny. Picture: Supplied.

“To get her into custody let us know we were on the right track. It confirmed a lot of the unknowns and motivated not only the investigative team but every police officer in Queensland to find the driver.”

In the hours before the alleged passenger Kari O’Brien’s arrest, officers from all ranks and stations across southeast Queensland worked around the clock analysing CCTV, verifying reported sightings and potential leads.

“We used every single resource we had between us,’ Det Insp Leadbetter said.

“We had inquiries to do in Ipswich, Logan, and Brisbane, and as soon as we mentioned what job it was, people dropped whatever job they were on, did it straight away, and got back to us rapidly.”

Police at the scene with the allegedly stolen car, found burned out in Moodlu, north of the crash.

Members of the public and businesses offered up CCTV and dashcam footage and by that morning the suspect vehicle had been found burnt out at Moodlu.

But the alleged driver Skye Anne Wallis remained on the run.

Det Insp Leadbetter said officers charged Ms Wallis’ associates with minor offences to put the pressure on her to hand herself in.

“The pressure we put on the associates and family friends of the second (accused) was relentless,” Det Insp Leadbetter said.

Queensland Police Officers are seen comforting each other at the scene where 53-year-old Senior Constable David Masters was killed on the Bruce Highway at Burpengary. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

“We charged a number of associates with criminal matters from possessing drugs to unlawful use of motor vehicles, and on outstanding warrants.

“The (accused) mentioned this when she handed herself in. She knew she was running out of places to hide.”

Both Ms O’Brien and Ms Wallis were charged with murder, arson and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Their matters are still before the courts.

Flowers and messages left for 53-year-old senior constable David Masters who was killed deploying road spikes, Deception Bay Police Station. Picture: Liam Kidston

Sen Const Masters’ wife Sharon told the police union her family would always be grateful for the efforts of all the officers who worked tirelessly in the investigation.

“It was such a relief when the final person was arrested and charged, because all those officers who were working around the clock could go home to their families,” Ms Masters said in an interview published in the Police Journal.

“Thank God they can rest. I knew the effort they put in and what they were sacrificing. When the arrests came we could just focus on Dave. We didn’t have another layer of concern to worry about.”