Crystal Beale homicide investigation takes new turn as police locate mum’s belongings, more footage

Detectives have had a major breakthrough in the homicide investigation of Queensland woman Crystal Beale, as her heartbroken daughter vows to fight for justice for her beloved mum.

Detectives have had major breakthroughs in the murder investigation of Queensland woman Crystal Beale, as her heartbroken daughter vows to fight for justice for her beloved mum.

Police have recovered some of the 49-year-old’s belongings – including one of her shoes – after Crystal’s body was found in the Brisbane River at Yeronga in February.

Speaking exclusively to The Courier-Mail, police said Crystal was likely assaulted and her body was dumped in the water, possibly around Orleigh Park.

Crystal’s daughter, Charlie Rose, said her life will never be the same after losing her “free-spirited” and “creative” mother, opening up for the first time since her tragic death, which was initially ruled not suspicious.

“It’s so important that justice is served, because I really, really want to be able to have some closure some day,” Charlie said.

Crystal Beale with her daughter Charlie Rose, 22. Crystal’s body was found in the Brisbane River on February 22, and police and conducting an investigation into her suspected homicide.

“I won’t stop fighting for it, ever.

“It’s so important to us, because it’s important that she is remembered and she is honoured.”

Crystal – a mother of two – went out for dinner with her ex-partner and their son at Sunnybank on February 21.

She is captured on CCTV leaving dinner about 7.40pm, before getting into her ex’s car and heading north towards his house in West End. Crystal was wearing a white dress and sandals.

South Brisbane Detective Acting Inspector Rod Watts has revealed police found new CCTV of Crystal getting out of her ex-partner’s car at Annerley.

It’s the last time Crystal is seen alive on any footage.

“We’ve reviewed probably 1000 hours of CCTV on that night,” Inspector Watts said.

“There are some other CCTV captures of her around Annerley where she got out of the vehicle, but from there, into West End … we are yet to piece together what’s actually happened.”

Detective Acting Inspector Rod Watts appealed to anyone with information that could help their investigation into Crystal’s death to contact police. Picture: John Gass

Crystal’s ex-partner told police he last saw her at Ryan St in West End around 9.30pm when she got out of his vehicle and walked off. At this stage, police say he was the last person to see her alive.

Crystal’s body was found in the Brisbane River at Yeronga about 5.40am the next morning, wearing the same clothes and jewellery from dinner.

Inspector Watts said police were trying to piece together what happened in those crucial missing eight hours.

Police have not ruled out any avenues of investigation.

“We’re still yet to capture or piece together the exact movements of Crystal around Ryan St, West End at that 9.30pm mark, and how or where she entered the Brisbane River.

“If the route was taken, and if she was on foot, we would have captured her on CCTV … but at this point in time, we’re yet to actually see her walking anywhere in that vicinity.”

Crystal’s ex-partner told police the last time he saw her was at Ryan St in West End about 9.30pm on February 21. Police located one of Crystal’s shoes in this location. Picture: David Clark

In a major breakthrough, police found one of Crystal’s shoes in shrubbery at Ryan St, and more of her belongings down the road at Orleigh Park.

Police believe Crystal was assaulted, and her body entered the Brisbane River possibly at Orleigh Park.

“The injuries that were discovered in a post-mortem examination make us believe that the death is suspicious,” Inspector Watts said.

“That’s one piece of the puzzle. We can certainly say that’s her sandal. We found other personal belongings down by the river at Orleigh Park, which would suggest she was in that area.

“Our investigations lead us to believe that there was an assault that took place somewhere around West End.

“It’s simply a woman going about her own business on what would seem a safe street, and that’s the piece of the puzzle that we’re yet to understand, how in fact she’s ended up in the river.

“We have a number of lines of inquiry, and we’re keeping an open mind into suspects, it’s quite baffling that we don’t know what her final movements are.”

Daughter Charlie Rose, 22, said growing up in Noosa with her mum was the best childhood she could have asked for.

Crystal Beale, 49, was a mother of two from Noosa who was free-spirited, creative and loving.

“My best memories with her are honestly the smaller things, the little things,” Charlie said.

“We used to go for drives every day, listen to music, that was our thing that we did.

“My mum was very free-spirited and she was a creative mind, and she always had some amazing little project going, she loved making things for people.

“Her soul was just larger than life and she made an impact on everyone she met.”

Charlie said she would never stop fighting to find out the truth about what happened to her mum.

“It’s been really hard to talk about, just because I am so constantly fixated on what really happened.

Crystal Beale has been remembered by her family as someone who made a positive impact on everyone she met. Picture: Police Media

“I’ve never been so desperate for answers and it really, just really ruins a person, going through all this.

“I want her to be remembered as someone who never gave up, no matter how tough times were.

“She has fought, and she would have fought to the end, and that’s how I want people to remember her.

“She had so much love to give.”

Detectives are appealing to anyone who may have been in the Ryan St and Orleigh Park area between 9.30pm on Friday February 21 and 1am the following morning and saw Crystal or any suspicious behaviour.

Some of Crystal’s belongings have been located in Orleigh Park – just a few kilometres from where her ex-partner told police he last saw her in West End. Picture David Clark

“We know there were fishermen in the area that night, we encourage those people to come forward. They’re not in any trouble, they’re not suspects” Inspector Watts said.

“Any information, be it small, my message is to contact the police.

“That tiny piece of information may make a big difference in our investigation and help us piece together Crystal’s final movements and what’s happened to her.”

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Crystal Beale homicide investigation takes new turn as police locate mum’s belongings, more footage