Police fear murder suspect Keith Lees could be hiding out on Australian farm

Police believe a fugitive wanted over the 1997 murder of a young woman whose body was found at the base of a cliff may be unwittingly being harboured on a farm or produce grower.

Police fear farmers and producers may be unwittingly harbouring a fugitive wanted for the murder of a young woman in 1997. Image: QPS

Detectives are pleading with farmers and produce growers to take stock of their itinerant workers in case they are unwittingly harbouring a fugitive wanted for the murder of a young woman whose body was found at the base of a cliff.

Keith Lees has now been on the run for 270 days after detectives attempted to speak to him about the 1997 suspected murder of Meaghan Louise Rose.

Police believe he may be using a false name and could have changed his appearance. They think he has likely found itinerant work - perhaps on a farm - in exchange for food and a bed.

They also believe it is possible he has infiltrated a religious group or community and is using them for food and shelter.

A manufactured image by QPS to show what fugitive Keith Lees might look like with a beard. Source: Queensland Police Service.

“We are asking landowners, farmers, primary producers - anyone who employs casual or itinerant workers where they might provide food and accommodation in exchange for work - to have a think about who they have working for them,” cold case homicide Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell said.

“There is an arrest warrant for this man for murder. Police will allege this man is responsible for the murder of a young woman whose body was found at the bottom of a cliff.

“If you do know where he is, please come forward.”

Lees has not been seen since June 25 when detectives went to his home to speak to him about a cold case investigation into the death of Ms Rose, which included the announcement of a $500,000 reward.

Ms Rose’s body was found at the base of Mooloolaba’s Point Cartwright cliffs, with her death initially ruled a suicide.

Police are hunting 70-year-old Keith Lees in relation to the 1997 murder of 25-year-old Queensland woman Meaghan Rose. Picture: Queensland Police Service

She had been in a relationship with the much older Mr Lees but had told her family she planned to break it off.

Queensland Police have previously revealed a life insurance policy was taken out for Ms Rose that had a 13-month waiting period before it paid out on suicide.

Her body was found 13 months and three days after the policy was set up.

In 2003, Less, who was by then living in Victoria, was convicted of the murder of his landlord Barry Waters.

Mr Waters met Lees through a church group and took him in as a boarder.

The car of Keith Lees. Photo: Supplied

His headless body was found in bushland in 2001, with a court hearing Lees had formed a relationship with Mr Waters’ ex-wife.

The last confirmed sighting of Lees was on June 27 at Waurn Ponds shopping centre in Geelong, and then at the Shepparton train station where he was captured on CCTV.

Police have since taken out a warrant for his arrest for the murder of Ms Rose.

Police are hunting 70-year-old Keith Lees in relation to the 1997 murder of 25-year-old Queensland woman Meaghan Rose. Picture: Queensland Police Service

“We know he is out there. We just want people to do the right thing and provide some answers to Meaghan’s family,” Det Sen Sgt Kentwell said.

“Has someone new entered your life in the past 270 days?

“He is not using his bank account, he is not getting medical attention through the public system.

“We believe he is living covertly. He is not doing what normal people do.”

Ms Rose’s sister, Christine Richards, said she believed Lees had “really been on the run” for 26 years.

“I want him to actually stand there and answer for what he’s (allegedly) done,” she said.

“I want him caught. I want him to be charged.”

Originally published as Police fear murder suspect Keith Lees could be hiding out on Australian farm