Man faces court over murder of Donna Steele

A MAN has faced court over the alleged murder of a Queensland mum, a week after police offered a $250k reward for information.

Queensland mum Donna Steele.

A MAN has been charged with murdering Queensland mum Donna Steele, one week after police offered a $250,000 reward for information about her killer.

Queensland police arrested the 25-year-old man from the Cairns suburb of Mooroobool on Friday night.

He was charged with murder, interfering with a corpse, and enter dwelling with intent, and appeared in the Cairns Magistrate Court on Saturday morning.

The arrest was made just hours after police indicated they had made a breakthrough in the case of Ms Steele, but were awaiting more information before they could lay charges.

Police have been appealing for information about the death of Queensland mum Donna Steele, whose body was found more than six months ago. Picture: Brendan Radke

Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan had just one week earlier issued a $250,000 reward and indemnity for those not directly involved with Ms Steele’s death.

Police have been hunting for the mother-of-two’s killer since her body was found in the Endeavour River, four days after she was last seen at the Cooktown IGA on August 2.

The investigation included aerial and ground searches of homes, properties and waterways, with a man’s shoe located in the Endeavour River area on October 31.

State Emergency Service workers search Leggett’s Crossing as part of continuing investigations into Donna Steele’s death.

Police say scientific analysis has been conducted on more than 200 items, with trace DNA identified on some of these.

Detective Inspector Damien Hansen indicated on Friday that they believed a key person of interest in the case was from Cairns, but would not speculate on whether he travelled there specifically to kill her.

Police attended the home of the Mooroobool man at about 9.30pm Friday and took him into custody.

He was interviewed and charged a short time later.

Crocodile inhabited Isabella Creek at Leggett's Crossing were Donna Steele's body was discovered. Picture: Liam Kidston

HOW THE INVESTIGATION UNFOLDED

2017

August 2: Donna Louise Steele is last seen at the Cooktown IGA around midday.

August 3-5: Her husband reports her missing; emergency authorities conduct aerial and ground searches of the Steele’s family property and surrounding areas.

August 6: Ms Steele’s body is found in the Endeavour River.

August 9: Ms Steele’s brother Jason makes a public appeal for anyone with information to come forward.

August 11-25: Further searches carried out in the Leggett’s Crossing and Endeavour River area; trace DNA evidence is found on some of the 200 items that were scientifically examined.

Donna Steele's property. Picture: Liam Kidston

October 31: A man’s shoe is found in the Endeavour River area.

2018

February 23: Police Minister Mark Ryan announces a $250,000 reward for information leading to the identification and conviction those responsible for Ms Steele’s murder.

March 2: Police confirm they have received new information and believe Ms Steele’s killer is from Cairns; police attend a Cairns address and arrest a 25-year-old man.

March 3: The man faces the Cairns Magistrates Court charged with murder, interference with a corpse and enter dwelling with intent.