Queensland crime: Arrest in cold case Deception Bay double murder

POLICE have made a breakthrough in a historic double murder, arresting a woman over the death of a brother and sister north of Brisbane.

April Bailey, 31, and her brother Ian, 29, were found dead in the Deception Bay home

DETECTIVES have made a breakthrough in a historic double murder, arresting a woman, 34, this morning over the death of a brother and sister.

April Bailey, 31, and her brother Ian, 29, were found dead in the Deception Bay home, north of Brisbane, in 2004 after their house was destroyed in a fire.

Detectives believe the brother and sister were murdered before accelerant was used to set the Warren Crescent house on fire.

The woman from Kallangur is expected to be charged with two counts of murder and one count arson this afternoon. Police said they expect more arrests over the matter.

Police have previously said three calls were made to Triple-0 around the time of the fire about 1.50pm on May 28, 2004.

The first call was believed to have captured Ian screaming, while the second was believed to have been made by April’s 4-year-old daughter Violet who survived and was found outside in the yard.

Violet Bailey speaks to the media last year.

In the second call, people could be heard in the background arguing.

Detective Inspector Damien Hansen said today the woman knew both the victims and was an “associate” from 2004.

“Part of the motive will be it’s drug-related,” he said.

Det Insp Hansen said there were a “number of other persons of interest that we are looking at”.

“I expect there will be more arrests as this investigation progresses,” he said.

Det Insp Hansen said Queensland universities examined triple-0 calls.

He said a number of people had come forward after media reports last year.

“We’ve had a number of people come forward that previously had not given evidence, or were reluctant to give evidence in 2004,” he said.

“They’ve changed their lifestyles, their morales, and that has helped us greatly in solving this.

Det Insp Hansen said it was a very emotional time, especially for Violet.

“She does remember (the incident) ... It is surprising, she was four years old at the time.

“It’s a very traumatic experience and she has been cooperating with us. She does have some recollections.”

Det Insp Hansen last year said expert examinations were being conducted on a military-style knife and a matching scabbard found at the crime scene.

April’s daughter Violet, 16, last year made a plea for people to come forward.

“Eleven years ago I was a witness to my own mother’s and uncle’s murder,” Ms Bailey said.

“The thing that bothered me the most is that the people who committed this crime are still free, they’re still able to go to the shops and have a life to live whereas my mother and my uncle don’t.

Woman assisting police,arrested in relation to the murder of April and Ian Bailey, Deception bay 2004 @9NewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/UzZ0NmZ3IE

— Zara Rattue (@ZaraRattue9) September 10, 2016

“My mother has missed out on her little girl growing up. My uncle has missed out on spoiling me.

“Everything I know about my mother and uncle I have had to be told,” Ms Bailey said.

“I have never been able to ask them anything, I have missed out myself on so many experiences.

“I’d be ever so grateful to finally know the people who killed my mother and uncle have been put into prison.”

April’s maternal grandparents have cared for her after the murders.

A reward of $250,000 has been offered for information which leads to a conviction.

Police have also offered an indemnity from prosecution for any accomplice to the crime.

Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000

Originally published as Queensland crime: Arrest in cold case Deception Bay double murder