Police seek extradition in relation to Jay Brogden cold case

Queensland police will seek to extradite a man from NSW to face a murder charge over the disappearance of Jay Brogden more than a decade ago. It comes as police said they have “multiple suspects”.

QUEENSLAND police will seek to extradite a man from NSW to face a murder charge over the disappearance of Jay Brogden more than a decade ago.

Police said a Coffs Harbour man, 32, formerly of Airlie Beach, has been charged by NSW police in relation to other matters. Detectives from the Homicide Group will apply for his extradition to face charges in Queensland for the murder of Brogden, who disappeared in Airlie Beach in 2007.

Jay Brogden vanished in Cannonvale on April 21, 2007.

Pictures: Supplied

Mr Brogden was last seen in Cannonvale on April 21, 2007.

An inquest in 2015 heard Mr Brogden told his mother in February 2007 that someone was going to kill him.

He was involved in a domestic violence incident with his partner Patricia Heath on the day he was last seen.

Detective Inspector Damien Hansen today said detectives from the homicide squad and Whitsunday CIB would be applying for the man’s extradition for the murder of Mr Brogden.

“This investigation is not finalised, this investigation will be continuing,” he said.

“We have a number of other suspects in relation to Jay’s murder and I expect that there will be further charges.”

Insp Hansen said police had “multiple” suspects for both the murder and accessory after the fact to murder.

Police erected a billboard on the Bruce Highway at Cannonvale earlier this month.

He said an appeal earlier this month had been helpful to police.

“We’ve had numerous people come forward, it has corroborated evidence,” Insp Hansen said.

“We’ve had people directly involved in this group of persons have come forward and have provided us with witness statements.”

When asked why people had come forward and if their lifestyles had changed Insp Hansen said: “You do see this with cold cases and you do see that people move from those groups and their loyalty to the individuals change over time. That helps us in these situations”.

A $250,000 reward remains in place for anyone who provides information which leads to a murder conviction.

Insp Hansen said there was also an indemnity from prosecution for the person who did not commit the murder.

He said there were alleged witnesses who could potentially make a claim to the reward but there was now a court process involved for the man who will be charged.

Insp Hansen said Mr Brogden’s family were very happy with the development in the case as they hope to finally get some answers.

Detectives previously said they were confident in solving the case.

“We continue to make inquiries with people who have provided us information we believe is crucial to the investigation,” Detective Inspector Damien Hansen of the Homicide Group, had said earlier this month.

“These inquiries have led us to Whitsundays, Townsville, Mackay, Gympie and Brisbane.”

“Although we are pleased with the information we have received, we still know there are people out there with knowledge of what happened to Jay Brogden and we urge them to talk to us now. The indemnity in place will only apply to those who come forward before we make an arrest for murder.”

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.