Keith Lees faces court over Meaghan Rose cold case murder

A man is accused of murdering his former partner whose body was found at the base of cliffs on the Sunshine Coast nearly 30 years ago, after he was arrested following an 18-month search.

A man charged over the cold case murder of his former partner nearly three decades ago was mentioned in a Sunshine Coast court on Monday.

Keith Lees, 72, is accused of murdering Meaghan Louise Rose, 25, whose body was found at the base of cliffs at Point Cartwright in Mooloolaba on July 18, 1997.

His matter was the subject of a committal mention in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday following his extradition from NSW in January.

Mr Lees’ acting solicitor requested a “lengthy adjournment” due to complexities in the case file.

Meaghan Louise Rose’s body was found at the base of Point Cartwright Cliffs in Mooloolaba on July 18, 1997. Picture: Qld Police

Keith Lees is accused of her murder. Picture: Queensland Police

Police allege Mr Lees was in a relationship with Ms Rose at the time of her death, which was initially ruled a suicide.

The case was reopened by homicide detectives in 2022 following new information.

After being questioned by police in Victoria in 2023, Mr Lees allegedly disappeared.

His car was later found abandoned in Portland, on the state’s southwest coast, and police were unable to track him down for about 18 months.

He was arrested in Sydney recently over the 27-year-old cold case death on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Police allege Mr Lees was unknowingly assisted by religious groups in NSW who were unaware of his true identity or that he was wanted by police.

A $500,000 reward was offered as part of the renewed investigation, and police later confirmed that a listener of the Australian True Crime podcast helped lead them to Mr Lees’ arrest.

He was taken into custody at a property in Dural, in Sydney’s northwest, and extradited to Queensland. His matter was initially mentioned in Brisbane before being transferred to the Sunshine Coast.

Mr Lees has been charged with one count of murder and remains in custody on remand. He is yet to enter any pleas.

The case has been adjourned until August 4 for a further committal mention.

Originally published as Keith Lees faces court over Meaghan Rose cold case murder