Father of allegedly murdered Tassie teen Shyanne-Lee Tatnell in court over unrelated serious crime

The father of Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, a 14-year-old Tasmanian girl allegedly murdered by a man in his 30s last year, has appeared in court over a serious, unrelated crime. What the court heard >

Nathan Dean Tatnell, the father of Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, a 14-year-old girl allegedly murdered in northern Tasmania in April 2023. Picture: Facebook

The father of Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, a 14-year-old Tasmanian girl allegedly murdered by a man in his 30s last year, has appeared in court over a serious, unrelated sexual crime.

Nathan Dean Tatnell, 38, is currently locked up at Risdon Prison, serving a lengthy 12-year jail sentence after he was found guilty by a jury of sexual abuse of a child – not Shyanne-Lee.

Currently, he is not eligible to apply for parole until September 2027.

On Tuesday, he appeared before the Court of Criminal Appeal after filing an appeal against both his conviction and his sentence.

According to court documents, Tatnell wanted his conviction overturned on the grounds “it was not open to the jury upon the whole of the evidence” to find him guilty.

He has also appealed against his sentence on the basis it was “manifestly excessive”.

But on Tuesday, Tatnell’s lawyer Kim Baumeler told the trio of judges – Justice Tamara Jago, Justice Michael Brett and Acting Justice Brian Martin – that Tatnell might abandon his appeal against conviction.

The case will return to court later this week.

The Mercury is not suggesting Tatnell had anything to do with his daughter’s death.

In a tribute written by Tatnell, and read out at Shyanne-Lee’s funeral in August last year, Tatnell said he would always remember his “puddin’ bear”.

Shyanne-Lee Tatnell. Picture: Facebook

“From a chubby newborn to the beautiful young lady you’ve become, you always made me so proud, apart from stealing nan’s car,” he said.

“The pain I feel now is tearing me apart.

“I will never say goodbye as that seems too long, so I will tell you I love you and say, until we meet again baby girl.”

Scottsdale man Christopher Mark Jordan, 37, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Shyanne-Lee and is due to return to the Launceston Magistrates Court in July.

Scottsdale man Christopher Mark Jordan, 37, has pleaded not guilty to Shyanne-Lee’s murder. Picture: Facebook

Shyanne-Lee was last seen alive near the North Esk River in Launceston on the evening of April 30 last year.

Her disappearance sparked large-scale searches – believed to be the biggest ever in northern Tasmania – with 180 people on the ground, including Tasmania Police, federal and interstate police, and volunteers.

Shyanne-Lee’s remains were tragically discovered in bushland, off a track near Nabowla on July 26, about 12 weeks after she went missing, with Mr Jordan charged the following day.

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