Murder charge: Family’s frantic calls to police before teen’s body found

The family of a young Moreton Bay region woman, whose body was later found in bushland on the Sunshine Coast, had made frantic calls to police when she failed to return home. Her ex-partner has been charged with murder.

A young Moreton Bay region woman was murdered and dumped in bushland by her teenage ex-partner after their relationship recently ended, detectives will allege.

The woman’s frantic family called police when she had not returned home on Saturday night, with officers later finding the 18-year-old’s body in bushland on a suburban road on the Sunshine Coast.

Police allege she had met with her ex-partner, a 19-year-old Kallangur man, at a car park on Bells Pocket Rd at Strathpine about 4.30pm on Saturday.

Her parents called police about 7pm.

Police found the man alone at a Nambour service station in Currie St, about an hour’s drive from the Strathpine carpark, and arrested him about 8.30pm.

Police at the scene on Park Road at Nambour where the body of an 18-year-old woman was found. Picture: Lachie Millard

The Petrie teenager’s body was found about 1km from the petrol station about 3am on Sunday.

The man will face Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday charged with murder and misconduct with a corpse.

Detective Inspector Ben Fadian said the pair had been in an “intimate relationship” that had recently ended.

“I can say that there was no domestic violence orders in place and there was no history of either party being in contact with police about anything of that nature,” he said.

“At this stage we have no evidence that there is any other parties involved in this.”

The accused was found at a petrol station less than 1km from where the body was found.

Inspector Fadian said police were still talking to the woman’s family and friends about any history of domestic violence. He said the circumstances of the pair meeting on Saturday was still under investigation.

Detectives were also still investigating where she was killed, Inspector Fadian said, with the carpark, service station and bushland declared crime scenes.

The woman’s body was found on Park Road at Nambour.

Police had seized a number of items that were undergoing forensic examination, he said.

Inspector Fadian said the teenager had “loving parents” who were concerned she had not returned home.

“It’s a tragic event, the young lady is 18 years of age, she had her whole life ahead of her,” he said.

“This is a good young lady … and this has happened to her. It’s a tragedy.”

The woman’s body was found in bushland. Picture: Lachie Millard

Inspector Fadian said police were investigating any links the man had to the Nambour area.

He said a post mortem would be conducted soon to determine the cause of death.

“The family of the young lady have been advised and as you would appreciate they are devastated,” Inspector Fadian said.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the woman’s death was an “absolute tragedy”.

“I have an 18-year-old daughter, exactly the same age, I cannot imagine what they are going through,” Ms Carroll said.

“From what we know there was no (domestic violence) history there, but it doesn’t matter. It’s unacceptable.

“I want to thank the police for their swift action and investigation into that inquiry.

“Absolute tragedy. My heartfelt sympathy and condolences goes out to the family.”

The woman’s vehicle was found at the carpark at Strathpine.

Detectives have appealed for anyone who saw a white 2016 Ford Mustang near the Rob Akers Sports Reserve at Strathpine between 4pm and 6pm, and on Park Rd at Nambour between 6pm and 8.30pm to contact police.

Police have also appealed for anyone who saw a blue 2012 Mazda 3 near the Rob Ackers Sports Reserve between 4pm and 6pm.

Inspector Fadian appealed for anyone who saw anything or with CCTV to contact police.

TIMELINE

■Man meets woman in car park off Bells Pocket Rd, Strathpine, 4.30pm.

■Woman’s worried family call police at 7pm

■Man found at Currie St service station in Nambour about 8pm, arrested 8.30pm

■Woman’s body found about 1km away in Park Rd, Nambour, about 3am