Arlie Lee Fowler and James George De Marco charged with Anuisha Bone’s murder

Chilling insight into Anuisha Bone’s state of mind in his final days and details on the investigation into his alleged murder so far can be revealed in this special report.

Within days of Anuisha Bone’s body being found on the side of a Rockhampton road with a single gunshot to his neck, police had the alleged killers in their sights.

But it would be two months before they could make an arrest.

Now, a top detective has detailed what led to the moment Arlie Lee Fowler and James George De Marco were marched from a police paddy wagon to the Rockhampton watch house and charged with murder as this publication looks back at chilling insight his parent’s provided about his last days and key moments in the case so far.

‘IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME …’

Anuisha Bone was a talented sportsman, style setter and beloved son, brother and friend.

The Berserker Street State School, North Rockhampton High School and Emmaus College student was a sports captain whose talent on the football field and at Brothers Rugby Leagues Club saw him selected for an under 19s representative team.

He also had a gift for soccer and uplifting and leading others with his encouraging words and clothing.

In the weeks following their son’s shooting death his parents spoke exclusively with this publication, sharing their heartbreak about the keen fisherman with a “cheeky grin” whose beloved black shar pei Kodak was still loyally waiting at the fence for his “dad” to come home.

Anuisha John Bone.

“When he first brought him home, he said ‘mum, this is your grandson’,” Anuisha’s mum, Dang, said, rolling her eyes with a smile on her face,” his mum Dang said at the time

“It’s the love of his life – his son.”

But they also admitted their “fearless” boy made worrying decisions at times, had fallen into what they believed was the wrong crowd.

They said in his final weeks he had “premonitions” something bad was ahead, asking them to take care of Kodak should something happen to him and warning that if they heard a knock on the door to turn the lights off and not answer.

He was worried and they worried for him.

And on Friday, November 17, 2023, they got the nightmare call to say Anuisha was gone.

Grim discovery sparks major investigation

A member of the public called triple-0 just before 3.53am to report a man lying on the Rockhampton Yeppoon Rd at Access 3, a U-turn between the north and south bound lanes.

Forensic officers spent days combing the scene for evidence and specialists from Brisbane were also brought in while floral tributes were left at the giveaway sign.

The day after Mr Bone’s body was found, Mr De Marco was taken into the police station for questioning and on November 22, Mr Fowler who was living on the Sunshine Coast but picked up by police in Hervey Bay, was also brought in for questioning.

A floral tribute to Anuisha Bone can be seen tied to a give way sign at Access Three on Yeppoon Rd.

Police said at the time the men were “assisting” with inquiries and no charges were laid and appealed for information on two vehicles of interest – a white 2015 Hyundai Tucson and a white 2021 Toyota Kluger.

Detective Inspector Darrin Shadlow explained this week the initial investigation was made more difficult by no direct witnesses coming forward, but police had since spoken with a “large number of members of the public”.

“Through the tentation of the investigation by the detectives, witnesses were identified and spoken to,” he said.

“People have been spoken to numerous times and they have come forward with information assisting us.

“To get to this point has taken a lot of effort and a lot of work.

“I think it’s proof today investigators will not give up on this matter and we haven’t given up.”

‘Didn’t do shit’: Alleged killer’s rant

Two months to the day after 34-year-old Anuisha Bone’s body was found on the roadside near Rockhampton with a single gunshot wound to his neck, police charged Mr Fowler, 33 and Mr De Marco, 26 with murder.

As the pair was filmed being led by police to the Rockhampton watch house on Wednesday morning, a smirking Mr Demarco, wearing prison greens and red Nike slides, looked directly to the media cameras and said, “47 baby, didn’t do s***”.

James George De Marco being walked to the Rockhampton Watch House on January 17 2024. He was charged with the alleged murder of Anuisha Bone.

His co-accused, Mr Fowler used his matching green shirt to cover his head, bearing his backside to the waiting media pack.

Speaking to reporters following the arrest, Det Supt Shadlow said investigators from Rockhampton CIB as well our homicide investigation unit from Brisbane had “worked tirelessly around the clock since the 17th of November last year to bring about this successful conclusion”.

Arlie Lee Fowler.

He also revealed police allegedly found 12 guns during the course of their investigation and said while the ballistics team had done an “outstanding job” in analysing the firearms he would not comment on which gun police allege was used to shoot Mr Bone.

“Some of the firearms have (allegedly) been traced back to some property offences however some have not been able to be traced due to some modifications to the weapons,” he said.

“It certainly is worrying there is that many illegal firearms within the community but again it's just something we will continue to target, the illegal possession of these firearms.”

What happens next?

Mr Bones’ parents were seated in the back of the Rockhampton court, supported by police on Wednesday afternoon.

Det Supt Shadlow said investigators had been in contact with Mr Bone’s family after the two men were arrested and they were “handling the situation the best they can”.

He said police would allege the two men were known to Mr Bone but would not be drawn on what officers say led to the shooting.

“It’s before the courts and that will come out through the future court proceedings,” he said.

While no further people are expected to be charged, Det Supt Shadlow said police were “still seeking other people that will have information in relation to this to come forward to speak to us”.

A brief of evidence was ordered during the men’s brief court appearances this week.

The case was adjourned to March 13.

Originally published as Arlie Lee Fowler and James George De Marco charged with Anuisha Bone’s murder