Police arrest Keith Allen Waldock over the disappearance and alleged murder of Tony Rowe

Police have alleged the third person to be arrested over the suspected murder of Darwin man Tony Rowe was involved in an extortion plot.

A blackmail and extortion plot allegedly surrounds the year-long mystery of the disappearance of Darwin man Tony Rowe.

NT Police arrested a third person on Wednesday in relation to Mr Rowe’s disappearance and alleged murder in May 2022.

Keith Allen Waldock was arrested by Major Crime Detectives at Francis Bay Marina and charged with being an accessory after the murder, blackmail and extortion, aggravated assault and two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The 42-year-old’s arrest comes a week after Mr Rowe’s remains were recovered in an isolated area south of Darwin — a year after he disappeared.

Keith Allen Waldock, 42, was arrested by Major Crime Detectives at Francis Bay Marina and charged with being an accessory following the alleged murder of Tony Rowe on May 28, 2022.

Mr Rowe left the Hibiscus Tavern in Leanyer on May 28, where he had been seen drinking with a group of people. He was never seen again.

Waldock said nothing to Judge Richard Wallace on Thursday as he appeared for the first time behind the security glass at Darwin Local Court.

Instead, as his lawyer Jack Lumsden told the court he would not be applying for bail, Waldock tried to silently communicate to a woman waiting for him in the courtroom.

Mr Rowe left the Hibiscus Tavern in Leanyer on May 28, where he had been seen drinking with a group of people and was not seen again.

The court heard Waldock also faced unrelated charges including breach of bail, damage to property, aggravated assault and a domestic violence order breach.

Mr Lumsden told the court that if his client was found guilty he could face a maximum penalty of 14 years behind bars for being an accessory to the fact, and 15 years for attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The 42-year-old is the third person to be arrested in relation to Mr Rowe’s disappearance.

Police arrested a 21-year-old woman in Western Australia and 29-year-old Timothy Hunt was extradited from Queensland.

The woman was charged with destruction of evidence and making a false declaration.

Hunt was charged with one count of committing a violent act causing death.

Waldock was remanded to custody, with his case adjourned to August 2 for a preliminary examination mention.